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Central American Regional
>> Regional Overview >> Central American Regional Program Overview Activity Data Sheet
PROGRAM: Central American Regional
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Regional Capacity to Mitigate Transnational Effects of Disasters, 596-004
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: none
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: none
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2001Summary: Extreme climatic events like Hurricane Mitch are expected to recur in Central America, and even intensify under the effects of global climate change. One of the lessons of Hurricane Mitch was that the effects of the intense storm were exacerbated by man-made factors including poorly developed and maintained infrastructure, population pressures on forested areas, and poor watershed management. Another lesson is that the storm did not recognize borders. During its trajectory across the isthmus, the storm's voluminous runoff and floods, amplified by one country's poorly managed environment, poured across the boundaries of shared watersheds to wreak devastation on neighboring countries.
The purpose of the Regional Mitch program is a more sound approach to development that incorporates strategies, concepts, and policies aimed at mitigating the effects of disasters across the region. The two-year targeted program is assisting Mitch-affected countries improve their collective capacity to manage transnational watersheds, improve road standards, respond to Mitch-induced migration on education facilities and resources in Costa Rica, and strengthen regional policies that reduce energy system vulnerabilities to disaster. Direct beneficiaries are the 30 million people in the four Central American countries -- El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua -- most affected by Hurricane Mitch, the 15,000 Costa Rican students in target communities, and Central American electricity consumers who will be less vulnerable to further Mitch-scale disasters. Assistance under the regional Mitch program ends December 31, 2001.
Key Results: 1) Framework established for sound transnational watershed management through effective institutional arrangements for watershed management, joint watershed management, and disaster mitigation planning, and putting in place an information base and tools for decision making; 2) Regional guidelines and standards developed to reduce road network vulnerability to natural disasters through a strengthened regional coordination mechanism focused on roadway vulnerability and an action plan to upgrade the road network identified and initiated; 3) Costa Rican education system capacity upgraded in selected communities affected by Mitch-related Nicaraguan migration through upgraded education infrastructure, provision of teaching materials, teacher in-service training, and adult literacy activities; and 4) Strengthened regional policies that reduce energy system vulnerabilities to disasters.
Performance and Prospects: The prospects for progress are excellent for the "Framework Established for Sound Transnational Watershed Management" activity. However, recent earthquakes in El Salvador are expected to slow the final implementation of some of the planned elements. The spirit of collaboration between all entities involved is outstanding. The Central American Integration System (SICA) entities undertake activities in support of, and in close collaboration with, USG agencies; financial management is sound and agile; and USAID/El Salvador participates closely in a regionally funded USAID activity.
Problems faced in development of the joint watershed management and disaster mitigation plan for the Rio Lempa have been successfully addressed and supporting activities are now progressing well. Today, the Rio Lempa watershed has a fully operational network of river gauges located in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, all linked by satellite. River flow data generated by the river-monitoring component is being used by authorities to help them manage their reservoirs. SICA, a prime regional partner, has performed well to secure key services, e.g., the watershed Geographic Information System, the topographic profiling of flood plain areas, and purchase of replacement equipment for river flow and rainfall monitoring. Following the earthquake, El Salvador has decided to build on this assistance to create a disaster forecast institute for both hydrological phenomena and volcanic and seismic activity, as well. Cooperation of regional and national authorities with private sector partners bodes well for longer-term sustainability of this institute.
SICA and USAID recognize that they lack a comprehensive strategy to secure adoption of overall country-level or sectoral institution-level agreements to mitigate the transnational impacts of disasters within the Rio Lempa watershed. However, SICA has held meetings with the Foreign Affairs ministries to explore a tripartite agreement for management of the Rio Lempa watershed. The digitalization of existing hydrological and meteorological data for the Rio Lempa watershed, in conjunction with work by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop the necessary watershed models needed for the river forecast system, should nonetheless help lay the technical foundation for regional cooperation.
Three of the five studies have been completed on standards and recommendations related to roadway planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation. These provide regional guidelines and standards to reduce road network vulnerability to natural disasters and await only final review and approval. Remaining studies are nearing completion. Study results are reviewed with the active participation of stakeholders, with five working groups (with one representative from each country) to review the recommendations being put forth in the studies. The preparation and vetting led by the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) is expected to lead to full consensus by June 2001 on an action plan to upgrade the road network.
Progress continues to be excellent across all four activities under the "Costa Rican education system capacity upgraded" activity. Classroom construction work was completed ahead of schedule. Effective working relationships with Education Ministry officials, contractors, and university staff have been developed and processes for approval and cooperation established. Interest on behalf of the private sector has increased, and the International Office of Migration (IOM) has mobilized communities in the care and maintenance of their schools.
Activities to strengthen regional policies that reduce energy system vulnerabilities to disasters have reinforced market-oriented policies that support private investment and development in competitive regional energy markets in Central America. The full realization of a functioning regional power market exchange, market-responsive pricing mechanisms, and emergency preparedness are longer-term goals. Near-term results, however, should help enhance the Central American energy network and reduce vulnerabilities by promoting private investment in more efficient, disaster-resilient, and regionally interconnected infrastructure. USAID-financed efforts to address regulatory and operational aspects of bilateral interconnection issues, the development of preliminary rules and procedures for the operation of the regional interconnection, market pricing, and subsidy issues will help to promote a regional electricity market and a Regional Power Market Exchange. Work on required legislation in Guatemala and El Salvador is progressing, as are efforts to develop emergency plans to reduce power system facilities' vulnerability to natural disasters, in particular flooding.
The work plan of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) calls for rehabilitating or improving electric service to 2000 rural families and for installing up to 10 photovoltaic systems in communities in Guatemala and Nicaragua. This project also seeks to identify opportunities where electrification can complement existing income-generation activities and the provision of training in the efficient use of electricity.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: Following the January 13, 2001 earthquake in El Salvador, SICA requested USAID assistance to assess land slide risks and the damage to public buildings, sewage and waste disposal structures, and the environmental monitoring network, especially in the Rio Lempa watershed. USAID will authorize SICA to use US$82,000 from the "Improved Regional Capacity to Mitigate Transnational Effects of Disasters" Grant Agreement to meet emergency requirements of the Government of El Salvador. USAID is examining the need for a no-cost extension of some activities due to the earthquakes in El Salvador.
Other Donor Programs: Major donors include Spain, Sweden, Japan, and Germany.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: U. S. organizations include: the U.S. Geological Survey, the NOAA National Weather Service, the International Office of Migration, the Department of Energy, PA Consulting Group, and the National Rural Electrification Cooperative. Central American Regional organizations include: The Secretariat of Central American Integration (SICA), the Costa Rican-based Regional Committee for Hydrological Resources (CRRH), the Regional Center for Natural Disaster Prevention in Central America (CEPREDENAC), the Central American Secretariate for Economic Integration (SIECA), and the Technical Secretariat for Transportation in Central America.
Central America Program: 596-004
Performance Measures:
Indicator FY97
(Actual)FY98
(Actual)FY99
(Actual)FY00
(Actual)FY00
(Plan)FY01
(Plan)FY02
(Plan)Indicator 1: Education infrastructure constructed/rehabilitated (classrooms) NA NA 0 260 200 260 NA Indicator 2: Joint Watershed Management and Disaster Mitigation Plan Developed NA NA 0 0.2 0.5 1 adopted Indicator 3: Assessment of road network completed, standards applied, and action plan completed NA NA 0 0.75 0.25 1 NA Indicator 4: Regional Energy Sharing Advanced NA NA NA 0 0 6 6 Indicator Information:
Indicator Level (S)or(IR) Unit of Measure Source Indicator Description Indicator 1: IR Number of classrooms built/rehabilitated IOM quarterly reports This indicator measures the number of classrooms constructed or rehabilitated in response to the increased demand caused by Mitch-related migration. This activity was extended through December 31, 2001. Indicator 2: IR Percent progress made toward completion of the plan Secretariat for Central American Integration (SICA) quarterly reports A comprehensive transnational watershed management plan developed in a participatory manner. Over the two years of the program the indicator will measure percent progress toward completion of the plan. Reference to 2002 means that by the first quarter of FY 2002, SICA will have completed the management plan, and it will have been adopted by SICA. The regional Mitch program runs through December 31, 2001. Indicator 3: IR Percent progress made toward completion of the plan Central American Secretariat for Economic Integration (SIECA) quarterly reports This indicator captures the implementation of five studies which provide the basis for (a) improving regional road standards which the IR will seek to have applied in the region and (b) a regional meeting that will be the basis for the development of an action plan. The indicator measures progress toward the completion of the action plan. Reference to 2002 means that by the first quarter of FY 2002, SIECA will have (a) completed the five studies, (b) disseminated the new standards, and (c) convened a regional meeting that will have led to the development of an action plan document. The regional Mitch program runs through December 31, 2001. Indicator 4: IR Number of institutions PA Consulting quarterly reports This indicator measures the number of institutions strengthened so bilateral interconnections are improved. This activity is expected to end by Decmeber 31, 2001. U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
Obligations Expenditures Unliquidated Through September 30, 1999 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 4,500 CACEDRF 0 CACEDRF 4,500 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Fiscal Year 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 9,200 CACEDRF 5,798 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA Through September 30, 2000 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 13,700 CACEDRF 5,798 CACEDRF 7,902 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA Prior Year Unobligated Funds* 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 DFA Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 DFA Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001 0 DA 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 DFA Future Obligations Est. Total Cost Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA 0 DA 0 DA 0 DA 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 CSD 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 ESF 0 CACEDRF 0 CACEDRF 13,700 CACEDRF 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 FSA 0 DFA 0 DFA 0 DFA
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
