Strengthening emergency preparedness! The Salvadoran RC, within the framework of the project “Accelerating Local Action in Humanitarian and Health Crises” (DG EHO-PPP) and with technical support from the IFRC Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre, conducted the Contingency and Response Planning Course using the Learning by Doing methodology. San Salvador January 29 – February 2 We continue strengthening capacities for a more effective response to emergencies and disasters.

From January 6 to 10, the Honduran RC is conducting the Effective Response Preparedness (PER) workshop, covering key topics such as Multi-Hazard Analysis, Climate and Environment considerations, and piloting Urban Context considerations. This event is carried out with technical support from CREPD/IFRC and funding from the Programmatic Partnership project.

From November 18 to 22, the Humanitarian Information Analysis Course (HIAC) was held in Panama City. The course aimed to strengthen the analytical skills of 23 participants from 12 different National Societies in the Americas, with the support of the Information Management, Surge, PMER, CEA teams, and the Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre.

The Guatemalan RC opened the "General National Intervention Teams (NIT) Course" in Guatemala City, with technical support from the Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre – IFRC, and with the support of EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid, the European Commission, and the European Union in Guatemala.

From January 14 to 18, the Honduran Red Cross, in collaboration with the Disaster Preparedness Reference Center of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, held the course "Response and Contingency Plans." This course was aimed at staff and volunteers from the country's four regions and was funded by the Programmatic Alliance Project.

The Rapid Response Teams Course concludes, organized by the IFRC with the support of the Reference Centre, with the participation of 11 National Societies and the ICRC.

La Cruz Roja Paraguaya realizó el Curso de Equipos Nacionales de Intervención (#ENI) con la finalidad de formar a su voluntariado en capacidades técnicas para responder a emergencias y desastres, siguiendo el Principio de #Humanidad y los valores del #MovimientodelaCruzRoja. La capacitación se desarrolla en el CARFEM de la Asociación Paraguaya de Fútbol, en la ciudad de Ypané. El CREPD apoya a través de la red regional de facilitadores, acompañan el proceso de formación un facilitador de Cruz Roja Argentina y una facilitadora de Cruz Roja Boliviana

From October 7 to 11, 2024, volunteers from the Guatemalan RC branches participated in an important Workshop for the Development of the Earthquake Contingency Plan, organized by the Guatemalan RC with the support of the Institutional Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre (CREPD). This workshop provided essential tools to strengthen response capacity in seismic emergencies, allowing volunteers to acquire key knowledge in planning and organizing strategic actions. The time invested in preparedness is time gained in response. Continuous training is essential to be better prepared to face crises and disasters.

On January 11 and 12, the update of the Honduran RC Institutional Preparedness Plan was carried out with technical support from the Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre and financial support from the Programmatic Partnership Project.

From December 10 to 14, the Pedagogical Mediation Workshop with a focus on Restoring Family Links was held, organized with the support of the IFRC Disaster Preparedness Reference Centre and the ICRC delegation for Mexico and Central America. The workshop included the participation of 19 volunteers from the National Societies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and the ICRC.

From October 21 to 25, 2024, the Second Regional Meeting of Climate and Environment Champions of the Americas was held in the framework of COP16 in Cali, Colombia, organized by IFRC with the support of the Colombian RC. The event included representatives from across the Americas, including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Colombia, as well as delegates from our Partner National Societies such as the American, German, Spanish, Netherlands, and Norwegian RCs; reference centres; and country delegations. More than 70 representatives participated in the Champions Meeting and contributed to the events in the Green and Blue Zones of COP16 Biodiversity, where our collective efforts were showcased to a wider audience through public interventions in the Blue and Green Zones, conferences, interviews, and a dedicated stand. Through this collective effort, we were able to highlight best practices of Red Cross Societies in the region to address this triple planetary crisis.

En el Marco del Proyecto ECHO PPP del 16 al 21 se realizó la Formación de Formadores de Salud Mental y Apoyo Psicosocial con enfoque el Protección, Género e Inclusión de la Cruz Roja Guatemalteca en coordinación con IFRC y el CREPD, con el objetivo de garantizar el fortalecimiento de las competencias del personal de respuesta, para convertirse en los primeros respondedores y brindar una atención adecuada desde el marco de referencia psicosocial en los diversos contextos, integrando espacios seguros y de confianza, garantizando por parte de la SN una respuesta efectiva en cualquier intervención.