Latin America and the Caribbean is highly vulnerable to the risks associated with natural disasters and climate change. This includes slow onset risks like temperature increase evidenced in the heat waves that have affected Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil this year, with record figures, such as the city of Cordoba in Argentina that reached 42.5°C. The region is also … [Read more...] about What is the IDB doing to reduce disaster and climate risks in its operations?
Melissa Barandiaran
Melissa Barandiaran, of Peruvian nationality, is a Senior Environmental Specialist for the Environmental and Social Risk Unit (RMG/ESR) of the Inter-American Development Bank. Melissa currently leads the disaster and climate change risk topic at ESR, where she monitors and supervises portfolio risks related to disasters and climate change. Melissa worked in operations for the Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit for 9 years from where she led the disaster and climate change risk topic. She is co-author of the Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology for IDB Projects, and is part of the Resilience Community of Practice–an interdisciplinary IDB group that works on disasters and climate change risk. Melissa has worked on complex projects based in Haiti, Mexico, Guyana, Costa Rica, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and other Latin American countries for the Transport, Energy, Water and Sanitation and Urban and Housing sectors. Melissa has a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Environment and Energy from Columbia University, NY, and has worked for the IDB for more than 11 years. Before working at the IDB, Melissa worked for Peru’s Ministry of Production on public policies related to petrochemicals, renewable energy and biofuels.
Assessing disaster and climate risk is a crucial step to project resilience
A new methodology, created by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), aims to assess disaster and climate change risks in the preparation, implementation, and operational phases of projects, to increase their resilience. The IDB’s ‘Disaster and Climate Change Risk Assessment Methodology’ report, takes a multifaceted and integrated approach to seize adaptational and … [Read more...] about Assessing disaster and climate risk is a crucial step to project resilience
Five steps to include disaster risk management in infrastructure projects
The Word disaster originates from the Greek dis (a negative prefix) and astrum (star), indicating a bad omen, whereas resilience comes from re (repeat) and silire (get ahead) – the ability to get back on track and overcome. At the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), we are committed to make all projects RESILIENT whether or not they are exposed to natural disasters. Latin … [Read more...] about Five steps to include disaster risk management in infrastructure projects
International Day for Disaster Reduction: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
A few days ago I saw a drawing made by the son of a friend who lives in Mexico City after the second earthquake to hit the city this year. I was impressed for two reasons–first, how the child conveyed the closeness to his mother at the time of the tremor and how they were leaving their house with his belongings (toys); and second, how he managed to depict the shaking of the … [Read more...] about International Day for Disaster Reduction: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
In Uruguay, sustainable development will do more than improve a bridge
You may not know it, but Tacuarembó, Uruguay is the town where Carlos Gardel, one of the most prominent figures in the history of tango, was born. It is a city full of traditions; in March of every year, many visitors gather in Tacuarembó to celebrate the Feast of the Patria Gaucha. Tacuarembó is also one of the beneficiaries of the Local Development and Subnational … [Read more...] about In Uruguay, sustainable development will do more than improve a bridge