‘Prepárate+’ aims to empower women, migrants, and vulnerable groups in Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile to build stronger, more resilient communities.
By Bunmi Yekini
As climate-induced disasters escalate across Latin America, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) have launched Prepárate+, a regional initiative designed to place inclusion at the heart of disaster preparedness and community resilience.
The new project, which spans Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile, seeks to ensure that women, migrants, displaced persons, and other marginalized groups are not just beneficiaries but active participants in disaster planning and decision-making.
“The evidence is clear: when women and migrants are part of disaster preparedness, communities are stronger and more resilient,” said Maria Moita, IOM’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “This is not just about fairness but about effectiveness. With support from the European Union and in close collaboration with governments, Prepárate+ gives the region a chance to move from a reactive approach to a truly inclusive model that ensures every voice counts and every life is protected.”
Despite notable progress in disaster risk management, IOM’s recent studies reveal that many communities remain unprepared and vulnerable, with limited awareness of official emergency plans and low levels of public trust in institutions. The studies also underscore that those most at risk, women, migrants, displaced persons, older adults, children, and persons with disabilities, are often excluded from preparedness and response processes, weakening overall community resilience.
“These findings show a critical gap between policy and practice,” said an IOM spokesperson. “To reduce the devastating impact of disasters, preparedness efforts must reflect the realities and needs of all people, especially those on the margins.”
The research also points to encouraging signs. Across Latin America, countries have strengthened legal frameworks, grassroots communities have built their own coping mechanisms, and women leaders are increasingly shaping local preparedness strategies. These developments, IOM noted, present a vital opportunity to build inclusive and sustainable disaster management systems that “leave no one behind.”
According to the Global Report on Internal Displacement 2025, more than 83 million people were living in displacement worldwide in 2024, with Latin America among the hardest hit by extreme weather events and social unrest.
By emphasizing inclusion, Prepárate+, aims to close long-standing gaps in disaster preparedness, transforming vulnerability into resilience and ensuring that communities across Latin America are better equipped to withstand the growing challenges of a changing climate.