Analysis of disaster risk management in Colombia: A contribution to the creation of public policies

This document evaluates the progress of risk management in Colombia proposes recommendations that will enable the Government to set up public policies in this area on a short-and long-term basis. It defines a set of recommendations so that disaster risk management becomes a State policy, emphasizing that improving land use and land occupation conditions is a priority in reducing the impact of disasters. The technical analysis included in the report is intended for those responsible for implementing disaster risk management policies, as well as professionals, researchers, and experts in the subject.

The overall report contains six chapters: (i) presenting a look at the situation of risk approach, the growth factors in disaster risk due to geological and hydrometeorological phenomena, and the analysis of historical impact of existing and future models at the sectoral and territorial levels; (ii) providing an analysis of the institutionalization of risk management in the country; (iii) analysing through case studies land management and its relation to the risk concept at the local and regional levels; (iv) identifying the causes of disasters and their economic and social implications; (v) examining the balance between the responsibility of the public and private spheres under the Constitution and current legislation; and (vi) including the conclusions and strategic recommendations as a result of the analysis carried out, both at the level of the chapters, as well as from a comprehensive study perspective.