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The IFRC’s Disaster Law Programme (DLP) and the Cuban Red Cross were invited to present at the second International Seminar on Health and Disasters organized by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health at the end of March.

Two events recently held in Colombia demonstrated once more the importance that the Colombian Red Cross places on its commitment to legal preparedness for disasters.

On April 24, 2012, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia signed Act 1523, establishing the “National System for Disaster Risk Management” and adopting a new national policy on disaster risk management.  The new act and policy make a number of advances toward promoting a holistic approach to disaster management in Colombia.

The Colombian Red Cross and the Colombian Directorate of Disaster Management, held their second national IDRL Workshop on April 15th, in Bogotá, Colombia.

On 20 January the Colombian Red Cross held a workshop in conjunction with the Colombian Government and IFRC to share experiences in international humanitarian assistance and reflect on innovative ways to facilitate the entry and exit of assistance in disaster response situations.

On November 15-17, an “International Earthquake Simulation” (SIMEX) exercise was carried out in Bogota, Colombia.

On the occasion of a major regional conference on disaster risk reduction, the Government of Colombia and the Colombian Red Cross signed a new cooperation agreement on IDRL, the first of its kind on the continent.

Agreement has been reached for the launch of a new project by the Colombian Red Cross Society and the IFRC to support the Government of Colombia to examine its legal preparedness for international disaster assistance.

In mid-December, 15 representatives of the Government of Colombia attended a workshop in Bogota to discuss how their country can improve their disaster preparedness.

For more than 60 years, the Colombian Red Cross Society (CRCS) has been engaged with the Colombian government in its disaster management activities. In this interview, CRCS Director General for Relief, Walter R. Cotte, describes its recent advocacy efforts.