Strengthening Information and Comunications for Disaster Risk Management (CEPREDENAC) The Objecive of this project is to enhance CEPREDENAC's capacity as Central America's coordinating authority for disaster risk management through improved information and communications systems. The new program proposal aims to build on previous efforts at strengthening technical capacity by enhancing regional information and communication flows.  By improving communication strategies and CEPREDENAC's capacity to disseminate information, national agencies will be armed with a more comprehensive strategy to respond more effectively to their individual country needs.  CEPREDENAC must improve the fluidity of communication among countries and facilitate a more effective information transfer system. Stronger communication between national institutions will bolster regional coordination of efforts. 2. Activities The activities to be develop under this project are focused on the  creation and implementation of information systems, databases, protocols, methodologies for sharing information, and tools for better response and mitigate for natural disasters. These activities will consist in studies to analyze the current situation of the countries and CEPREDENAC on information and communication capacities, resources; designs of methodologies, protocols, and toolkits; validation and dissemination of results; creation of a regional database; and publication of the methodologies, protocols and toolkits. 3. Components Component 1 - Information and communication methodologies and protocols.  This component will finance the development of communication protocols, as well as standardized methodologies to integrate and optimizes national and regional resources. Activities under this component will strengthen communication among CEPREDENAC and its Member Institutions in the process of consensus building and coordination of actions as well as monitoring and evaluation of activities.  The component aim at improving technical, human, and administrative capacity. Component 2 - Strengthening of the Central American Disaster Unit for Rapid Response (UCARRAD):  This component will support the design and the implementation of a regional information system to coordinate actions at a regional level in case of major emergencies.  A clearly defined rapid response framework will enhance mutual cooperation during and immediately after the occurrence of a natural emergency.  Activities will involve the promotion and exchange of knowledge, best practices and lessons learned in the region.  Rapid response policies, strategies, and methodologies will be compiled in a toolkit to provide training at the regional level.  Final output will also include a database that centralizes local capacity and resources. Component 3 - Update and Generation of Scientific Information and Technology:  This component will update the capability of scientific, academic and public institutions to obtain and produce scientific data.  State of the art information will enable the CEPREDENAC to promote and disseminate important data related to disaster management. It will also support the materialization of Digital Documentation Centers.  To achieve this objective, technological gaps will be identified and prioritized.  Whenever possible, the project will aim to identify institutions and resources to allow access to the latest technology.  Activities under the component will include an analysis of current capabilities and ways to improve it, development of a bibliographic database, and dissemination workshop. IDF:  TF056862 The purpose of the Grant is to enhance the technical capacity of the Centro de Coordination para la Prevention de Desastres Naturales en America Central (CEPREDENAC) as Central America's coordinating authority for disaster risk management by enhancing regional information and communication systems for the dissemination of information to enable Beneficiary Agencies to more effectively respond to national needs.