Argentina
Some communities in urban areas in Argentina are just starting to grapple with the humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis. Climate hazards are intensifying, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. An estimated 60% of disasters in Argentina are floods—of all economic losses due to disaster events, 95% are due to flooding.’1 In countries like Argentina, our work on climate action is just beginning.
Climate change is not on the public's agenda and people don't yet understand the long-term impacts of the climate crisis
People we spoke to perceived changes in the local climate, but they didn’t feel adequately informed or knowledgeable about how it would affect their community on the long-term, preventing them from considering adaptation strategies.
Participants highlighted the necessity of establishing awareness programs that explain climate change and its impacts in daily life, in a way that is accessible to different population and age groups, as there is limited understanding and familiarity with and interest in the concept.
Neuquèn
Communities and responders need to be more prepared, with stronger early warning systems
Despite increasing emergencies, such as floods, communities and responders are often unprepared. In countries like Argentina, our work on climate action is just beginning—we need to support communities in setting up contextually relevant early warning systems, and ensure they have access to reliable information and data.
Community based organisations request information and training on disaster management and coordination mechanisms with official risk management and emergency systems, as they report they are reacting to recent climate events in an intuitive manner and without a no-harm approach.
Neuquèn
There is a lack of trust in emergency response services
A low level of community trust was perceived in some official emergency response services, a perception that was exacerbated by the ongoing election at the time of data collection. Communities criticized the performance of emergency services, particularly around the lack of involvement of the community and the alleged absence of emergency preparedness and response plans.
The work and operational consistency of the Argentinian Red Cross was mentioned– this presents an opportunity to strengthen local capacities in emergency response, and to reestablish trust.
Corrientès
Early warning information must be adapted to different contexts
Timely access to reliable and quality information is essential to help communities make decisions before an emergency occurs. In areas with low connectivity, digital channels are not effective to share information with local populations, and communities proposed to receive information via face-to-face, leaflets and other preferred channels.
Neuquèn
Context
In June 2023, heavy rains caused flash flooding in the Neuquèn province, affecting an estimated 4,000 families. The flooding caused power outages, road closures and contamination of water supplies—prompting the local authorities to request the support of the Argentine Red Cross.
In the Nother, heavy rain and flooding submerged the province of Corrientes on Nov. 6 2023. Many of the river islands in the region were completely swallowed, and thousands of people were forced to evacuate.
