The United States is the principal provider of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) globally, and particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Beyond serving as a public good during a time of need, US HADR efforts also bolster hemispheric security and fortify the United States’ soft power diplomacy in LAC. By deepening its HADR strengths and addressing room for improvement, the US can remain the partner of choice for LAC countries and conserve the US’ global advantage over China and other strategic competitors.

How can LAC and partner nations (such as the US), NGOs and regional/global organizations strengthen their ability to respond to natural disasters? What can the US do to improve its disaster preparedness and response in LAC? And how should the US respond to China’s disaster assistance in LAC?

Join the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies in partnership with the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. ET to launch our collaborative report analyzing these key questions and more. The virtual event will feature report co-authors Adm. (ret.) Craig Faller and Dr. Patrick Paterson.

NOTE: Simultaneous Spanish language interpretation will only be available to those attending via Zoom (registration required)

Opening remarks

• Mr. Jason Marczak, Senior Director, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council
• Dr. Paul Angelo, Director, William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies

Speakers

• ADM (ret.) Craig Faller, USN, Distinguished Fellow, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council
• Dr. Patrick Paterson, Professor of Practice, William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies
• Ms. Alison Lapp, Acting Director, Office of Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, United States Agency for International Development
• Dr. Lina Gong, Research Fellow, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Program, Center for Non-Traditional Security Studies, Nanyang Technological University

In conversation with

• Mr. Wazim Mowla, Associate Director, Caribbean Initiative, Atlantic Council