Address by Commissioner Lenarčič at the signing ceremony for the EU-LAC Memorandum of Understanding on Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction

Address by Commissioner Lenarčič

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and gentlemen,

This is the third time I have travelled in this region during my mandate. In many ways it feels we have been building to this historical moment.

Today is the culmination of a long journey. Marking 30 years of friendship and cooperation between our two regions.

I thank Barbados and CDEMA for hosting this event today.

And I thank UNDRR for their vital role as a strategic partner in this endeavour. You have helped us to come this far – and I am sure you will help us to go even further.

The Memorandum we will sign today is proof of how concrete, results-orientated regional integration can support communities on different sides of the world.

I congratulate all the signatories here today.

Together, we are going to turn this joint ambition into reality. And together, we will achieve one of the key milestones in the Roadmap decided at the last July's EU-CELAC Summit.

But this ceremony is just the beginning.

We must seize this opportunity to reinforce mutual support and coordinated action between our regions. Beginning a new era of cooperation in the face of this new era of climate breakdown.

Because climate-induced disasters don't respect boundaries. So we need to think bigger – and act beyond our borders.

Let me briefly share two stories.

Last July, Maria Andria watched as wildfires destroyed her home on the Greek island of Rhodes. “When I saw my house burn,” Maria said, “it was like a piece of my soul had also burned.”

This February, Rolando Fernández lost his home to the devastating wildfires that tore through Central Chile. “I have worked my whole life,” Rolando said. “Now I'm left with nothing.”

Maria and Rolando are separated by over 12,000 kilometres. And yet their painful experiences are very similar. They underline the importance of disaster preparedness and resilience.

For over 30 years, European Union has been present in this region.

In that time, the European Commission has mobilised two billion euros to support communities just like Maria and Rolando's. Collaborating with partners from national agencies to local networks to build resilience and exchange best practices.

We have achieved this via three complementary actions:

First: building disaster preparedness across the region.

This includes strengthening disaster prevention, resilience and anticipatory action. This way we protect communities and decrease overall humanitarian need.

I saw this in action yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago. Where, with EU support, we are making flood Early Warning Systems more effective by ensuring they reach every person in the local community.

Second: standing ready to help when disasters strike.

The EU is there to support people in their moment of need wherever they are.

A key part of this commitment is conducted through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Which is ready to react to any crisis around the world at any time.

In the last 16 years, this EU Mechanism has come to the aid of people across the Latin America and Caribbean region with nearly 100 disaster response missions.

As these disasters increase, the solidarity expressed in this Mechanism is needed more and more across the world.

And I am proud that in my mandate we have gone even further than just responding. Installing multiple early warning systems and opening two Copernicus Observation Centres in Chile and Panama.

This is all part of the EU's worldwide civil protection effort. Which goes hand in hand with our third action:

Delivering humanitarian support.

The EU continues to deliver swift and efficient funding for humanitarian emergencies across the region. From tropical cyclone Lola in Mexico last year to flooding in Brazil only a few months ago.

This support goes beyond simply reacting to disasters.

Two years ago, I was in Panama where we launched the first regional humanitarian stockpile.

This forward planning proved crucial when last month we were able to immediately mobilise emergency support for Haiti. Delivering desperately needed items from hygiene kits to kitchen sets to inaccessible areas via five Humanitarian Air Bridge operations.

This is an impressive track record. But, as the climate crisis worsens, we urgently need to further strengthen this cooperation.

Nearly a third of the countries most affected by climate breakdown are in this region. With three quarters of the population living in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, extreme weather events continue to hammer Europe. Following a succession of heavy wildfire seasons, last summer saw one of the worst seasons in our continent's history. Burning an area nearly 12 times the size of Barbados.

Make no mistake: we are all vulnerable. And the only way to build a safer future is to work together.

That is why this Memorandum is so important. It will empower us to:

• Support stronger response capacities;
• Promote prevention, preparedness and early recovery;
• And, importantly, enable an exchange of knowledge and best practices.

I think that we have come so far together. Now, we must harness this momentum and do even more to protect people just like Maria and Rolando.

And looking further ahead, I hope our work will prompt similar forms of cooperation elsewhere.

And will help to fulfil our joint commitment to the Sendai Framework and the Paris Agreement.

I look forward to more opportunities for engagement under the G20 Brazilian Presidency and its work on disaster risk reduction.

But today is about this moment.

I look forward to seeing the Memorandum in action immediately after this event with the first ever EU-LAC high-level dialogue on integrated disaster management. And to hearing your discussions.

Thank you. Gracias. Obrigado.