The UNGRD advanced the shipment of basic supplies to the Colombian Caribbean islands to reinforce attention to Storm Melissa.
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) sent 22.8 tons of humanitarian assistance to the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina as a preventive measure against the possible effects of tropical storm Melissa, which is approaching the Colombian Caribbean.
The shipment, which departed from the entity’s National Logistics Center in Bogotá with the support of the Colombian Aerospace Force, includes 1,000 food kits, 1,000 personal hygiene kits, 1,000 kitchen kits, 3,000 sheets and 3,000 awnings. These elements will be allocated to families that may be affected by the passage of the climate phenomenon on the islands.
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According to the UNGRD, the action is part of a strategy to anticipate natural emergencies, with the aim of strengthening the response capacity in the most exposed territories. The operation seeks to guarantee that the island communities have the necessary supplies for immediate attention in case of damage.
The director of the entity, Carlos Carrillo, explained that risk management is not limited to post-disaster care, but begins with preparation and prevention. He highlighted that the prepositioning of humanitarian aid in strategic points of the country allows for a faster and more effective response when emergencies occur.
The initiative is part of the UNGRD’s new national strategy to strengthen disaster preparedness and reduce response times. Along these lines, the entity has been allocating logistical and human resources to ensure that both the continental and island regions have timely support.
The preventive measure is adopted in a context of constant meteorological monitoring of the behavior of Tropical Storm Melissa, which could generate intense rains and strong winds in the Caribbean. With this shipment, the UNGRD reinforces inter-institutional coordination and emergency logistics in the island departments, prioritizing the protection of life and well-being of the communities.
The entity indicated that it will continue to strengthen the preparation of communities throughout the national territoryin accordance with its mission to mitigate the impacts of natural events and guarantee timely care for families affected by emergencies. With this early action, the Government seeks to avoid delays in the delivery of aid and ensure an efficient response to the possible effects of the storm in San Andrés and Providencia.
Source: Integrated Information System
