The intervention
The Costa Rican Red Cross initiated a community
training programme in disaster preparedness and prevention,
community first aid and psychological support.
The idea of the early warning system was put to the
community on the understanding that the community
itself would operate and follow through with this system.
Building materials were distributed to support
structures such as retaining walls and for repairing
drinking-water pipes damaged in the landslide.
Meanwhile, the local authorities established an emergency
committee to coordinate disaster response and
rehabilitation activities. This committee convened coordination
meetings and followed up on activities in the
affected communities. Radio equipment was installed in
four centres: the Orosi local emergency committee, a
nearby Red Cross base, the national meteorological
institute office and the Rio Macho drinking water river
authority. A warning siren was installed atop the Costa
Rican electricity institute’s communications tower.