Together We Stand

[ 119 ] Another major achievement is the constantly updated National Risk Atlas, which currently has 2,913 layers that enable effective decision-making. In addition, constant monitoring of different natural phenomena is maintained through agencies and organizations specializing in areas such as weather, water management, ecology and environmental protection, climate change and various natural hazards. Derived from this monitoring, effective public warnings are issued in order to provide preventive assistance and support, resulting in decreased damages to property and, primarily, lives. The National Emergency Committee was installed for the very first time to address hurricane Ingrid and tropical storm Manuel, and subsequently to attend hurricane Odile (Baja, California, 2014) and hurricane Patricia (Jalisco, 2015), listed as the strongest recorded hurricane worldwide, but notable in that it did not leave any casualties. Beyond the attention to these phenomena, it has been confirmed once again that preventive and alerting actions are an essential piece in the objective to safeguard thou- sands of Mexican lives. The continuing challenge is to move from actions focused on emergencies and disasters, to a system that achieves the balance between risk preven- tion and the ability to rebuild. To strengthen all these actions, it is important to have economic resources. For that reason, year after year the Mexican Government includes in its budget an allocation for a Natural Disaster Fund, which considers two aspects of emergency attention. The fund is a risk management finan- cial instrument that allows the purchase of relief supplies and assistance, which serve the urgent needs of affected populations in a timely manner in the event of emergen- cies and disasters. On the other hand, the fund serves as a federal government financial instrument for reconstruction, as it can support states and federal public administration agencies when responsiveness has been exceeded. This allows them to take actions, and to authorize and apply resources to mitigate the effects produced by natural disas- ters, so the affected areas can be rebuilt in similar or higher operating conditions. To strengthen our institutions, organs that integrate SINAPROC and allow interaction with all stakeholders have been fortified. The National Council for Civil Protection, headed by the President of the Republic, is integrated by governors of all states and the federal cabinet, as well as representatives of the legislature. Within this council, public policies are proposed and established with the goal of addressing civil protection objectives and purposes. In 2013, the National Emergency Committee began oper- ation. This body functions as a coordinating mechanism for actions in emergency and disaster situations caused by the Image: National Coordination for Civil Protection of Mexico Hurricanes are one of the main threats facing Mexico T ogether W e S tand