Abstract

A problem that has been studied at national level is the prevention of risks that affect structures due to the large number of extreme natural events. This situation is worsened by the lack of systematic evaluation of current infrastructures. It is for this reason that the COSIPLAN - IIRSA platform, together with the Chilean Ministry of Public Works, is working on the development of a solution for adequately assessing infrastructure and preventing future risks. Large losses caused by disasters have increased in recent years, directly affecting human lives, finances, and particularly road network infrastructure. The South American region has been affected by diverse events such as earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, among others. In the past 35 years there has been infrastructure losses of close to US$88,000 million (South American Council of Infrastructure and Planning [COSIPLAN], 2016). This context has led to COSIPLAN/IIRSA and its member countries to implement the methodology called Disaster Risk Management at Regional Level (GRDR in Spanish) with the purpose of reducing the effects of natural and anthropogenic disasters in the country’s infrastructure. The present paper presents the theoretical guidelines for the implementation of the GRDR and a proposal for implementing it in Chile over the next few years, with special attention to transoceanic network structures in South America.