The National Government announces a multimillion-dollar investment to address La Niña: preparations for a devastating climatic phenomenon. Urgent measures to protect the population and vulnerable sectors.

The National Government of Colombia has announced an investment of over 1.7 billion dollars to deal with the heavy rains expected with the arrival of the climatic phenomenon of La Niña. According to the director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (Ungrd), Carlos Carrillo, this amount will be allocated to address more than 2,600 events associated with La Niña, which could include floods, landslides, gusts of wind, and torrential rains. The Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (Ideam) has forecasted that La Niña could begin between the quarters of August-October and September-November, with a probability of 70%, possibly extending until the first quarter of 2025. In light of these projections, it is estimated that the country will need to prepare to face an average of 15 daily events related to this phenomenon. According to Carrillo, over 5,000 floods, more than 3,000 mass movements, as well as gusts of wind and torrential downpours are expected. Additionally, forest fires and droughts are projected. The impact of La Niña is expected to affect around 550,000 families, with thousands of homes destroyed or damaged, crops and animals lost. The director of Ideam, Ghisliane Echeverry, has indicated that the Andean and Caribbean regions will be the most affected by excessive rains in October, while a greater impact is expected in the Orinoquia and Pacific regions in the following months. In response to this situation, the agricultural sector has designed a plan of anticipatory actions with available resources to address the effects of La Niña. The Minister of Agriculture, Martha Carvajalino, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing the Caribbean and Pacific regions due to their recurrent impact in past episodes, the prevalence of food insecurity, and the presence of ethnic communities. These areas will receive special attention and support to mitigate the negative impacts that La Niña may have on the population and agricultural production. Amidst this situation, it is vital for authorities and the general population to be prepared and take necessary measures to address the possible consequences of La Niña. Coordination between governmental entities, aid organizations, and the community at large will be crucial to minimize damages and protect the lives of citizens in case of climate-related emergencies. It is important to remember that extreme climatic phenomena like La Niña can have a devastating impact on a country's infrastructure, economy, and security, making investment in preparedness and response crucial to saving lives and protecting natural and productive resources. We trust that, with adequate planning and timely action, Colombia will be able to effectively face the challenges brought by La Niña and emerge stronger from this test.