Due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Region of the Americas is home to many volcanoes with different levels of activity, from Alaska to Patagonia. Volcanic activity from the Popocatepetl in Mexico and the Tunguragua in Ecuador has recently scattered ashes over populated areas. The Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Colombia maintains its activity with gas columns and permanent tremors. On 27 May of this year the Copahue volcano, between Chile and Argentina, showed signs of activity that suggest a high probability of eruption. A Red Alert has been declared and areas neighboring the volcano in both countries have been evacuated.

During the IV Session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, PAHO/WHO highlighted the importance of including an specific health approach in the preparation of a new global framework , to be used after 2015, for disaster risk reduction. The strengthening of the political commitment, a multi-hazard approach, collaboration among all sectors and the allocation of financial resources are, among others, key elements to reducing disaster risk in the health sector of the Americas.

The Smart Hospital project is being implemented with financial support from UKAid, Department for International Development and with the full support of the Ministries of Health and the National Disaster Management Offices. PAHO/WHO and UKAid  are partners in this approach as we seek to show how safe and green initiatives can be combined to make critical health facilities smart.

It is essential to have preparedness and response plans for public health events in order to respond effectively to an emergency. These should have been prepared in a collaborative process and must be kept up to date. Disaster response plans are key for facing future emergencies in an articulate and timely manner, and reducing the impact of the events on affected communities.