The importance of interinstitutional, interdisciplinary, and collaborative work

 Colombia is a country where natural,

socio-economic,

and political factors converge,

causing disasters

to have a daily impact

on different regions of the country.

An analysis of disaster risk in Colombia

reveals that 31% of the population

is at risk due to various types of landslides.

There is a significant correlation

with the quantity and dynamics

of water resources and landslides.

So working at the watershed

is fundamental to Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Guarino River basin experience

is a good example.

This basin is located

between the eastern part

of the department of Caldas

and the northern part of the department of Tolima,

The traditional fishing activity in its downstream area,

its potential for hydroelectric generation

in the midstream and upstream areas,

and the great variety of farming systems,

mostly coffee and livestocks,

are some of the benefits brought by the Guarinó River.

However,

there are also different environmental conflicts in the basin,

generating concerns for both communities and public institutions.

The basin planning process started in 2008

and an Immediate Action Plan was created

through participation of local stakeholders.

Disaster risk reduction projects were formulated in each area

and made possible thanks to the creation

of a Core Group

and the signing of Agreements

 between ISAGEN, CORTOLIMA and CORPOCALDAS.

The projects involve ecosystem restoration

to control soil degradation processes

and promote land-use changes

towards sustainable production systems,

with a plan that encourages community engagement.

They integrate the use of biomechanical structures

with the high-density planting of protective

and stabilizing vegetation

and, in some cases, with civil engineering works.

This way,

vegetation becomes the main factor

in reducing landslide risk in these locations.

Plants provided through community nurseries

encourage the direct involvement of the communities.

The project's findings include:

Understanding the complexities of environmental situations,

their extent, and physical-biotic and cultural diversity;

the importance of interinstitutional,

interdisciplinary, and collaborative work;

understanding interconnectivity between actions;

the importance of community engagement

and its connection within the processes;

generating employment and building local capacities,

the need for continuity

and sustainability; as well as other key knowledge concepts.

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What is this all about?

 Disasters are not natural: if we destroy natural buffers or build too close to areas likely to be struck by natural hazards, we create the conditions for a disaster; and the way we manage hazards may turn it into a disaster. 

● Disaster Risk = Hazard x Vulnerability x Exposure 

Nature boosts health and can help us protect against future pandemics. • Green spaces can reduce cardiovascular disease by reducing stress, reducing urban heat island effect, and pollution, and providing space for exercise. • Nature boosts mental health. • Ecosystem degradation results in loss of natural resources vital for managing disease transmission. We can work with nature, rather than against it to increase our ability to protect and adapt to climate and disaster impacts. • Governments can set up policies that safeguard nature and promote Nature-based Solutions. They can also fund and implement them. • Civil societies can implement Nature-based Solutions in partnership with communities, government and the private sector. • Private sector can promote green jobs, safeguard the environment, fund and implement Nature-based Solutions.