LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN Region OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE U.S. Agency for International development (USAID/OFDA/LAC)
The Latin America and Caribbean regional office of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) is located in San Jose, Costa Rica. As part of USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), USAID/OFDA provides humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of humanitarian emergencies worldwide. USAID/OFDA is responsible for facilitating and coordinating U.S. Government emergency assistance overseas.
USAID/OFDA responds to all types of natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, cyclones, floods, droughts, fires, pest infestations, and disease outbreaks. USAID/OFDA also provides assistance when lives or livelihoods are threatened by catastrophes such as civil conflict, acts of terrorism, or industrial accidents. In addition to emergency assistance, USAID/OFDA funds mitigation activities to reduce the impact of recurrent natural hazards and provides training and technical assistance to build local capacity for disaster risk management and response.
As part of the USAID/OFDA Training and Technical Assistance Program in Latin America and the Caribbean, implemented by the International Resources Group (IRG), the U.S. Government has helped train thousands of firefighters and other first responders, expand the risk management course offerings of universities and other institutions of higher learning, and prepare government authorities and non-profit organizations to better respond to natural and manmade disasters in their respective countries.
The Latin America and Caribbean office is managed by USAID/OFDA Senior Regional Advisor Tim Callaghan and four other regional advisors, as well as support staff located in San Jose and throughout the region.
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O. Box 920-1200, Pavas, San José, Costa Rica
Tel: (506) 231-6805 / 290-4133 Fax: (506) 231-4111
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