Central American countries are susceptible to a wide range of natural phenomena with high destructive potential, due to the geological, climatic, and environmental characteristics of the region, where the interaction of multiple tectonic plates and various climatic events converge. In the past, hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions have caused the complete destruction of human settlements and even the full relocation of populations and infrastructure.
In just the last 30 years, the region has been affected by several hurricanes with significant socioeconomic impact: Fifí (1974), Joan (1989), César (1996), and Mitch (1998). During the same period, several earthquakes have caused severe destruction: Managua, Nicaragua (1972); Guatemala (1976); San Salvador (1986); the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica and Panama (1991); and El Salvador (2001).
Volcanic eruptions have also been a frequent source of disasters throughout the short history of our countries. Other events, such as floods, landslides, and mudflows triggered by intense and/or prolonged rainfall, may be of lesser magnitude, but their consequences are significant for social and economic development due to their higher frequency.