Strengthening Vertical Links Towards a Resilient Future in Colombia

The numerous disaster events that Colombia has faced, have highlighted the need to emphasize that disaster risk management is both a determinant and a conditioning factor for sustainable development when addressing sustainable development and planning. Focusing on the relevance of recognizing the crucial role of communities, local authorities, and public-private entities, Colombia seeks to strengthen capacities in disaster risk management to achieve sustainable and territorial resilience through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative (MCR2030).

MCR2030 has thus become one of the main tools to achieve progress in the implementation of the Colombian Disaster Risk Management Policy that promotes a greater scope in sustainability, territorial security and the protection of assets and collective interests through the formulation and/or updating of territorial risk management plans (at municipal, district, departmental and national level). The policy is aligned with the provisions of the national regulatory framework (Law 1523 of 20122*).

On August 3, 2021, the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD), with the support of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) for the Americas and the Caribbean, launched the MCR2030 initiative in the country. The relevant MCR2030 tools were adapted and adjusted to the local context and are now articulated with the national disaster risk management policy.

During the event, attended by the public, private and community sectors, technical, sectoral and operational entities of the National Disaster Risk Management System (SNGRD), academia, cooperation partners and citizens, the UNGRD presented the adjusted materials and a supporting tool that promotes the linkages between territories to cooperate; exchange good practices, challenges, and solutions, in order to become more inclusive, resilient, sustainable, and safer to disasters (video, toolbox and information kit available here).

Strengthening vertical linkages to support urban resilience is one of the core aspects of MCR2030. UNGRD, as the coordinating entity of the SNGRD, promotes and disseminates the initiative, building synergies among strategic partners in the country, and strengthening supporting networks at the subnational level.   

Following the national launch, UNGRD rolled out promotion days at a sub-national level that multiplied the initiative through virtual and face-to-face events. As a result, Colombia has 65 municipalities already registered in the MCR2030 dashboard, its target is to reach 100 by the end of the year.  

To learn more about MCR2030 in Colombia visit the UNGRD micro website. 

* Whereby the national disaster risk management policy is adopted and the National Disaster Risk Management System is established and other provisions are issued.