HIGHLIGHTS
13 million people were affected by disasters during 2015.
A study conducted by UNHCR points to violence and lack of protection by the authorities as reasons of why women are fleeing El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
El Niño in 2015 has been considered among the strongest since 1950 and several countries and regional institutions implement measures to address its negative effects.
Building on the consultation process in different regions towards the World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) several priority action areas has been identified
13 million people affected by emergencies in 2015
13 million people have been affected by disasters during 2015 in Latin America and the Caribbean. Drought is the disaster that affected the most people, followed by excessive rains, floods and epidemics like dengue, chikungunya, cholera and Zika virus.
Hurricanes, violence, environmental emergencies and cold waves are some of the other disasters that affected people in 2015.
This figure exceeds the number of people affected in 2014 (11.4 million), which is a reminder that preparedness efforts must remain a priority to reduce impacts and humanitarian needs.