MEXICO CITY — Over the course of two days, national and international specialists from the animal protection organization Humane World for Animals participated in the second forum on animals in disasters, held in the cities of Mérida and Mexico City. During the event, participants highlighted the importance of close coordination between government authorities and nongovernmental organizations to ensure the inclusion of animals throughout all stages of disaster management.
Daniela Benavides, country director at Humane World for Animals Chile, joined the forum and shared her team’s experience in responding to devastating wildfires, including those that occurred in February of this year. The fires severely affected the regions of Ñuble and Biobío, leaving thousands of families — and their animals — without homes.
In Mérida, the forum brought together authorities from various municipalities, as well as representatives from civil society organizations and veterinary professionals. Together, they highlighted the need to strengthen a culture of preparedness and to develop strategies to ensure the proper evacuation of families with animals during emergencies.
“We are seeing growing interest not only from authorities and organizations, but also from the community itself, in understanding the importance of including animals in preparedness, evacuation, and disaster response plans. Through these spaces, we can share lessons learned that contribute to the development of better local practices,” says Felipe Márquez, disaster response program manager for Latin America at Humane World for Animals.
In Mexico City, the forum included the participation of local and national authorities, as well as civil society organizations dedicated to animal welfare. During this meeting, the importance of inter-institutional coordination during disaster response was emphasized, with the relocation of people and animals to temporary shelters identified as one of the most challenging processes.
The second forum on animals in disasters was coordinated by the Environmental Unit of the Municipality of Mérida and the Secretariat for Integrated Risk Management and civil protection of Mexico City. As part of disaster preparedness actions, the participating parties are planning a simulation drill that encompasses animal evacuation concerns in both cities in the coming months.
Humane World for Animals responds to disasters around the world to help animals and communities in need. In June 2025, the team deployed to Oaxaca, Mexico, to assist animals and people affected by Hurricane Erick; in 2023 and 2024, the organization provided assistance in the state of Guerrero, Mexico, following Hurricanes Otis and John. Globally, the team has intervened to help animals affected by volcanic eruptions in Guatemala; earthquakes in Nepal, Ecuador, Mexico, and Türkiye; deadly storms in India, Haiti, Costa Rica, South Africa, Mozambique, and the United States; wildfires in Australia and Chile; and the war in Ukraine. The organization also invests in preparedness, mitigation, and long-term recovery to strengthen and empower communities before disasters occur.
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