Mexico City, MEXICO — After weeks of intense weather events affecting several states in Mexico, preparedness and prevention efforts continue to gain momentum thanks to collaboration between government authorities and nonprofit organizations.
On October 27 and 29, the “First Disaster Preparedness Forum Including Animals” took place in Mexico City and Mérida, Yucatán, organized by Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society International), Mexico City’s civil protection agency and the Animal Welfare Unit of Merida in Yucatán. The forum featured panels with experts in disaster preparedness and animal rescue, along with volunteers who have responded to various emergencies in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
Felipe Márquez Muñoz, disaster response program manager for Latin America at Humane World for Animals, stated: “These forums are highly relevant because beyond reaching emergency management professionals or responders, they are aimed at the general public, those who must be prepared for disasters and who, in many cases, are the first to respond when something happens in their communities.”
According to data from the National Self-Reported Wellbeing Survey (ENBIARE), over 69% of households in Mexico have at least one companion animal. “The importance of including animals in emergency and response planning is vital. We’re seeing that the events impacting the country and the world are increasingly intense and prolonged. People today are more reluctant to evacuate without their animals,” Márquez Muñoz added.
The forum, held at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City and at the Olimpo Cultural Center in Mérida, included participation brought together students, civil society organizations and the public. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with representatives of the Municipal Institute for Animal Protection of El Marqués, Querétaro, Humane World for Animals, along with representatives of the Civil Protection secretariat and Mérida’s Environmental and Animal Welfare Unit, and researchers from Universidad Iberoamericana.
Humane World for Animals responds to disasters around the world to assist animals and communities in need. In early October, the team deployed to Veracruz, Mexico to help animals and their people impacted by the floods; in 2023 and 2024, responders assisted in the state of Guerrero, on Mexico’s Pacific coast after Hurricanes Otis and John.
Globally, the team has stepped in 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 in thecase ofas refugees and their pets fleeing the war in Ukraine. The organization also invests in long-term preparedness, mitigation and recovery to better equip and empower communities before disasters strike them in the future.
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