Emergency alert systems to be improved in Central America
Latin America is working on a unified emergency alert system as the "El Niño" weather phenomenon is predicted to alter rain patterns in the region this year, head of the regional natural disaster prevention center said on Friday.

"Less rain is expected in the southern area and more rain is expected in the north, but every country is preparing for an emergency," Roberto Velasquez said.

The regional work will improve after signing an agreement with the Water Center for Humid Tropic for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cathalac), said Velasquez, who temporarily heads the Coordination Center for Natural Disasters Prevention in Central America, and is also the head of Panama's Civil Protection National System.

"With such an agreement we will strengthen our response and interaction abilities among all the emergency operation centers in Central America", he said.

"The goal is to guarantee the work, management, operation and maintenance of the Web-EOC server (Emergency Operation Center)," he added.

According to Velasquez, such system would also allow access to first hand information on damages and needs in the areas affected by a natural disaster.

Cathalac chief Emilio Sempris said he is working on implementing an national alert system which would also involve other Central American countries.

"For the first time, with this agreement and the installation on the server we will have the possibility to stay on line and to know what is happening in every country with a functioning Emergency Operation Center," he said.