1. I. RESEARCH FOCUS AND SKILLS
Research Focus
 Disaster Risk Reduction
 Adaptation to Climate Change
 Capacity Development
 Environmental Management (macro-level)
(Geographical focus in Latin America)
Skill Set:
 Policy Analysis
 Research and Writing
 Programme and Project Design, Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation
 Advocacy and Promotion
II. EDUCATION
(Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. Ph.D. Candidate. Geography. Berlin, Germany.
Started in April, 2000; and interrupted in 2001 to join the United Nations)
Universidad de Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica.
Master in Geography. Emphasis in Central America.
Graduation: September, 1999 (with honors)
Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Licenciature in Biological Sciences. Emphasis in Marine Biology.
Graduation: February, 1994.
“Escuela Técnica G. Martinez Zuviría”. Rio Colorado, Argentina.
Secondary School (degree “Perito Mercantil”)
Graduation: February, 1984.
III. WORK EXPERIENCE
 Free Lance Consultant, Panamá (August 2009 to present)
World Bank hired as a short term consultant (STC) since August 2010 to present.
 Latin America and the Caribbean Water, Urban and Disaster Risk Management Cluster
(joined the Disaster Risk Management team (DRM Team) as Senior Disaster Risk
Management Consultant in August 2010). Supported the DRM Team in Central American
countries, Argentina, and Ecuador. Supported the Government of Panama in developing the
National Policy for Integrated Disaster Risk Management (approved in December 2010);
and the National Plan for Disaster Risk Management (approved in July 2011), as prior
actions for the approval of a disaster contingency loan (Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown
Haris E. Sanahuja
Curriculum Vitae
(e-mail: haris.sanahuja@gmail.com ;phone: +507-66769807)

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Option, CAT-DDO). Currently coordinating a technical cooperation grant from the Global
Facility for Disaster Reduction (GFDRR), entitled “Support to Panama DRM Program.
Developed together with another senior economist consultant the pre-design proposal of the
Central American Fund for the Promotion of the Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management
(FOCEGIR), as part of the World Bank support to CEPREDENAC´s Central America
Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Policy (PCGIR). Also supported the World
Bank in the identification and design of a Technical Assistance Project for a probabilistic
disaster risk assessment pilot project in Panama (within the CAPRA portfolio), and the
development of a Policy Concept Note on DRM for the Argentinean Government. Supported
the DRM in technical engagement dialogue on DRM with the Government of Ecuador,
including de development of a DRM Concept Note.
 LAC Agriculture and Rural Development Unit (LACSAR). Provided support on the
implementation of DRM component for El Salvador Local Government Strengthening
Project (PFLG, its acronym in Spanish). Tasks included delivery of a training workshop on
DRM municipal plans and took part in the preparation for the middle term review of the
Project, and participation as the Senior DRM Specialist in official evaluation and
supervision mission since 2013 (last supervision mission conducted in May 2015).
 Eastern Europe and Central Asia Urban, Rural & Social Development Cluster- Lead
discussions with the Government of Albania in 2014 for the finalization of the National
Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction, by providing technical advice and experience of
strategy development on disaster risk management from other countries.
 World Bank´s Evaluation Office of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF-EO). Hired by
the GEF-EO to develop a Framework for Monitoring and Evaluating Adaptation to
Climate Change, with the Climate-Eval Community Practice and conducted a webinar to
introduce the findings of the reports (April to July 2011).
 Latin American and the Caribbean Social Development Department of the World Bank -
Developed a Chapter on Risk Trends in Latin American and the Caribbean and contributed
to whole editing of the books on Preventive Resettlements of Populations at Risk of
Disasters: Experiences from Latin America, and Populations at Risk of Disasters: A
Resettlement Guide; both published by the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction,
GFDRR (August to September, 2010).
Inter American Development Bank (IADB). Conducting short and medium term
consultancies since April 2011
 Hired 2014 as main consultant to support the overall design and technical follow up of a
programmatic policy loan with the Government of Bolivia entitled “Programa de Gestión de
Riesgos de Desastres I” (BO-L1107). Work involved participation as part of the IADB
team in orientation and identification missions, supporting the team with the technical
dialogue with the Ministry of Development Planning. Responsible for developing the policy
matrix and monitoring of the Government deliverables. Additionally the contract included
support to the Vice-ministry of External Financing and Public Investment in developing a
guidelines document aiming at the creation of a disaster risk classifier within the public
investment system.

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 Hired through the Ministry of Economy and Finances of Peru to support the Government of
Peru and the Bank team to conduct the evaluation and prepare the Project Completion
Report (PCR) for the “Programa de Reducción de Vulnerabilidad del Estado ante
Desastres”, a programmatic policy loan consisting in three tranches of USD $25 million
each, executed between 2010 and 2014 (May to August 2014)
 Responsible for the application of the “Indice de Gobernabilidad y Políticas Públicas para
la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres-iGOPP” in Bolivia, Dominican Republic Guatemala,
Mexico, Panama and Uruguay (started May 2013 and finalized in December 2014). Work
also involved the oversight of local consultants and the drafting of national reports for each
country, and contribution to a regional report. The consultant was previously hired to apply
the Beta version of this Index in Panama (February-March 2013).
 Supported IADB in the oversight of Panama´s Government compliance with a set of
progress indicators of a policy matrix associated with a parametric contingency line and
participated in the administrative missions in 2013 and 2014. Assisted the mission and the
Government in the identification of new targets.
 Supported the overall design and technical follow up of a three-year programmatic loan
with the Government of Panama entitled “Programa de Reducción de Riesgo de Desastres
y Adaptación al Cambio Climático en Panamá” (PN-L 1070). Tasks included the
production of a Sector Note on Disaster Risk Reduction; a National Disaster Risk
Vulnerability Assessment Report, and overall coordination of the technical assistance
provided by the IDB to the Government of Panama for delivering the political commitments
related to disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change (from April 2011 until
March 2013).
 Supported conceptual design of a IADB Policy Dialogue Forum on Adaptation to Climate
Change and Disaster Risk Management with the Government of Argentina, including
preparation of the IADB presentation for in the Forum (December 2011).
UNDP-Latin America and the Caribbean. included as senior consultant in the international
roster since June 2010
 Hired as technical coordinator to conduct an interagency evaluation and country peer review
on the status of disaster risk reduction in Panama. Tasks included the design of the
methodology, coordination of experts from different UN agencies, Chile and Colombia, and
drafting of the final report of the assessment. (January 2015).
 Hired as a Senior DRM consultant to advise the National Emergency System of the
Republic of Uruguay (SINAE) on the implementation of the “Integral Disaster Risk
Diagnosis”, financed under the One UN framework. (since April 2013, finalizes in October
2014).
 Reviewed the draft of the National Policy on Disaster Risk Management of Guyana (2012)
 Developed in coordination with UNDG; UNDP; UNEP and UNISDR, the harmonized
UNDG´s Guidance Notes on: a) Mainstreaming and Integrating Environmental
Sustainability; b) Disaster Risk Reduction; c) Climate Change; into the CCA/UNDAF
Process. (2011)

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 Developed the design and coordinated an inter-agency evaluation on the status of disaster
risk reduction in Uruguay (2010). Tasks included the design of the methodology,
coordination of 10 UN experts, and drafting of the final report.
 Hired as the consultant to design and contribute to the coordination of an interagency
evaluation on the status of DRR in Dominican Republic (2010).
Development Bank of Americas – CAF
 Hired as an expert consultant to develop a diagnostic of the DRM status in the water and
sanitation sector, and transports and logistics sector, in Panamá, under the GEOPOLIS
initiative. Work involved support to GEOPOLIS experts to develop a proposal for
mainstreaming DRM into both sectors.
Also conducted since 2009 short term consultancies at regional and national levels for
organizations such as CEPREDENAC; DARA Initiative; FLACSO; IFRC; OAS; OXFAM;
UICN and UNFPA.
 International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, UNISDR. Geneva, Switzerland (April,
2002- June 2009)
Regional Policy Advisor. UN/ISDR Americas. Panama (from July 2005 to August 2009)
Responsible for assisting the regional unit in developing strategies for furthering the
implementation of the Hyogo Framework Action in the Americas. The tasks included liaising with
governments as well as relevant regional and subregional bodies, such as CEPREDENAC;
CAPRADE; CDERA; ACS and OAS; and the Panama-based inter-agency mechanism RED-LAC.
Focal point within the regional unit to support the strengthening of the ISDR system in the
Americas, including the development of ISDR Regional Platform and Thematic Platforms, as well
as ensuring adequate support to the UNRC system in mainstreaming DRR into the UN planning
mechanisms such as CCA-UNDAF. Backstopping officer for the reporting framework in the
Americas, including the preparation of the regional report for the First Session of the Global
Platform for DRR, held in Geneva in 2007.
Programme Officer. ISDR Secretariat. Geneva (from April 2002 to July 2006)
Responsible for the area of advocacy at the national level, coordinating the work of the Secretariat
in promoting and strengthening national platforms for disaster risk reduction worldwide, in close
collaboration with regional outreach offices in Africa and Latin America.
Tasks include development of the country profiles, preparation of guiding materials and
supervision of related material posted in the website and/or disseminated through UN-ISDR
publications. Working as a consultant for the Secretariat, provided overall review and appropriate
analysis for “Living with Risk”, a Global Review on Disaster Reduction prepared by the ISDR
Secretariat. Tasks included drafting one chapter and contributing to different sections of the book.
The consultant also reviewed the information material utilized by ISDR in the “World Summit on
Sustainable Development”, and assisted in the generation of a “framework for guiding and
monitoring disaster risk reduction.”
Official missions representing the UNISDR included the following countries: Argentina,
Cambodia; Costa Rica; Cuba; Czech Republic; Dominican Republic; Ecuador, El Salvador,

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Guatemala, Haiti; Honduras, Mexico; Kenya, Nicaragua; Paraguay; Peru, Philippines, Saint
Lucia, South Africa; Syria; Tajikistan, Trinidad and Tobago; Uruguay; USA; Venezuela.
 United Nations Development Program –UNDP, Geneva, Switzerland (April to December
2001)
Consultant. Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, BCPR. Geneva Operations
Technical coordination of the World Vulnerability Report and the Global Disaster Risk Index.
Tasks included the developing of the conceptual model of the index, technical follow up with
UNEP/GRID, definition of substantive contents for the World Vulnerability Report, as well as
general preparation and coordination of advisory meetings held in Latin America, Asia and Africa.
The consultant prepared the expanded outline for the methodology chapter of the WVR, and helped
to prepare TOR‟s and editorial briefings for commissioning selected articles. The envisaged World
Vulnerability Report was finally launched by UNDP in 2004 under the title: “Reducing Disaster
Risk: a Challenge for Development.”
 CEPREDENAC. Panama City, Panama (October 1998-1999)
Project Consultant. Coordination Center for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters in
Central America (under agreement with SPM Consultants, Stockholm, Sweden).
Prepared official report of the Impact of Hurricane Mitch in Central America. Conducted research
and prepared an “Inventory of Cartographic Sources of Risk, Hazard, and Vulnerability”
(including numerous missions to Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic between 1999 and 2001). Assisted
CEPREDENAC in regional technical meetings related to disaster and risk information
management.
 Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences – FLACSO. San José. Costa Rica (1999 to
August 1999)
Researcher for the “Natural Disaster Programme.” Contributed to the preparation and launching
of a Masters Program in Disasters and Risk Management through Internet (FLACSO-LA RED)
between Feb ‟99 and Aug. „99. Promoted the Program and searched for financial sources to cover
students‟ fees. Developed the admission test and conducted the first selection of candidates from
Latin America and North America.
 World Bank Organization. Washington D.C., U.S.A. (August 1996 to January 1997)
Consultant. Environment, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Division. Department
of Latin American and Caribbean Countries.
Prepared technical papers on Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Electronic Marine
Highways. Prepared technical notes related to solid wastes in Uruguay and marine birds and
mammals in Patagonia. Prepared preliminary GEF concept document on coastal zone management
for Patagonia (joint project UNDP-World Bank). Helped prepare terms of reference. Translated
technical papers from English to Spanish.
 National University of the Middle Buenos Aires Province. Tandil, Argentina (1992 to
August 1996)
Researcher. Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Department

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Coordinated an institutional agreement established between the Government of the Rio Negro
Province and the University. Conducted research for the development of joint projects on
pollination of crops with the Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Delegate to
a Symposium comprised mainly of federal and provincial government officials covering the status
of environmental legislation.
 Patagonian Parliament. Viedma, Argentina. May 1992 to August 1994
Advisor and consultant. Planning, Tourism and Economic Affairs Committee.
Reviewed and analyzed provincial legislation related to environmental conflicts in Patagonia.
Helped prepare reports for the committee.
IV. SELECTED STUDIES AND PUBLICATIONS
 Linkages among population dynamics; urbanization processes and disaster risk in Latin
America and the Caribbean. Rogelio E. Fernández Castilla y Haris Sanahuja. Position
paper commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration
with UN-Habitat and UNISDR Americas. 2011 Presented at “Expert Workshop on
demographics, urbanization processes and disaster risk”. November 2011, Rio de
Janeiro.(http://www.eird.org/publicaciones/dinamicas-de-poblaciones-y-riesgos-de-
desastres.pdf).
 Under a Veneer of Resilience: Panama´s City growing disaster risk. Haris Sanahuja, with
contributions from Alex Coles and Paulo Froes. Essay commissioned by the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). 2011 (in print, available in
English and Spanish).
 Tracking Progress for Effective Action: A Framework for Monitoring and Evaluating
Adaptation to Climate Change Efforts. August 2011. Study commissioned by the
Evaluation Office of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-EO), developed with the
Climate-Eval Community of Practice. 2011 (available in English) http://www.climate-
eval.org/sites/default/files/file/StudyFrameworksAdaptation_2011_08_20.pdf
 Global and Latin American and the Caribbean Disaster Risk Trends. In: Preventive
Resettlement of Populations at Risk of Disaster, Experiences from Latin America. Elena
Correa Editor. The World Bank: GFDRR. 121p.:xx. (available in English and Spanish)
http://www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/sites/gfdrr.org/files/publication/preventive_resettlement_LAC_
experiencesDS150.pdf
 Populations at Risk: A Resettlement Guide, 2011. Correa; E., with F. Ramirez and H.
Sanahuja. The World Bank: GFDRR. 142p.: xii. (available in English and Spanish)
http://www.gfdrr.org/gfdrr/sites/gfdrr.org/files/publication/resettlement_guide_150.pdf
 Guidelines for linking Disaster Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change: A
first approach for the Andean Region. 2011. Study commissioned by the Andean
Committee for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness (CAPRADE). Sponsored by UNDP.
January 2011. Lima. Peru (unpublished).
 Risk Reduction Index (IRR): Analysis of the Capacities and Conditions for Disaster Risk
Reduction, DARA, 2011. Focal Point for Panama and member of the Advisory
Committee. http://daraint.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/IRR_pdf-baja.pdf

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 Guidelines for articulating Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change,
with emphasis in the public investment processes, and within the framework of the
Federal Strategic Land Use Plan in Argentina. Ministry of Planning, Infrastructure and
Public Works & Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development. Study
sponsored by UNISDR Americas. January 2011. (in print; available in Spanish).
 National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas: a critical analysis of
these processes five years after the adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action. Study
commissioned by the IFRC and UNISDR. Panamá, 2009 (internal, see below presentation
al III Global Platform for DRR, Geneva, 2011.
(http://www.preventionweb.net/files/globalplatform/entry_presentation~1nationalplatforms
.pdf)
 Reference framework for the participation of Red Cross National Societies in the
processes of National Platforms for DRR. Study commissioned by the IFRC, Panamá.
2009.(internal; English and Spanish).
 Oxfam GB and Disaster Risk Reduction in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review of
evaluations and projects in disaster risk reduction.. Period: 2004 – 2009. OXFAM GB,
Lima. 2009 (unpublished).
 Sanahuja, H.E. 1999. “Damage and Assessment of Risk in Central America: A
Methodological Proposal Using Costa Rica as a Case Study.” Thesis, Master‟s Program
in Geography, University of Costa Rica. 120 pp. (available in Internet under:
www.desenREDando.org).
 Sanahuja, H.E. and P. Girot. 1999. Geography of Risk. 1999. In: Human Development
Report for Costa Rica; Section “In Harmony with Nature.”
 Sanahuja, Haris. "Efecto de nivel de stress hídrico y grado de polinización sobre la
fenología de Medicago sativa”. Thesis to opt for “Licenciado en Ciencias Biológicas”.
Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. 1994.
70 pp.
 Del Hoyo, M., Sanahuja; H.E., y Bedascarrasbure E. (1994) "Relación entre la época de
floración, actividad pecoreadora de Apis mellifera y porcentaje de descenlace de alfalfa".
In: IV Congreso Iberolatinoamericano de Apicultura. Edited by Ministry of Agriculture,
Livestock and Natural Resources of Argentina. pp 171-173.
 Farina, J, Sanahuja, H. y Bedascarrasbure E. (1994). "Aportes preliminares al
conocimiento de insectos nativos como potenciales polinizadores de frutales en cultivares
del valle medio de Río Negro." An: IV Congreso Iberolatinoamericano de Apicultura.
Edited by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources of Argentina. pp 174-
175.
Contributed as author or co-author to the following UN official reports and publications:
 Evaluation of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in Panama- An inter-agency survey
led by UNISDR on the status of disaster risk reduction in the country with the

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participation of FAO; IFRC; OCHA; ONUSIDA UNDP; UNEP; UNFPA; UNICEF; UN-
WOMEN; WHO-OPS; WFP. Experts from Chile and Colombia joined the evaluation
group as peer reviewers. January-February 2015. (publication in progress).
 Harmonized Guidance Note- Streamlining and Harmonizing UNDG´s Guidance Notes:
Mainstreaming and Integrating Environmental Sustainability, Disaster Risk Reduction
and Climate Change into the CCA/UNDAF Process. Consultancy commissioned by
UNDP-LAC and coordinated jointly by UNDG; UNDP; UNEP and UNISDR. October,
2011 (not published).
 Evaluation of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in Uruguay- An inter-agency survey
led by UNISDR and UNPD on the status of disaster risk reduction in the country with the
participation of experts from ECLAC; UNEP; OAS; OCHA; UNDP; UNESCO and
WMO (HS was hired to co-lead the mission on behalf of UNISDR Americas and to write
the final report). Montevideo, December 2010.
(http://www.eird.org/publicaciones/informe-uruguay.pdf)
 Evaluation of the Status of Disaster Risk Reduction in Dominican Republic- An inter-
agency survey led by UNISDR on the status of disaster risk reduction in the country with
the participation of experts from ECLAC; IFRC; OAS; OCHA; UNDP; UNESCO and
WMO (HS was hired as a consultant to develop the methodology, support the inter-agency
mission and write the final report). Santo Domingo, April 2010.
(http://www.eird.org/publicaciones/informe-evaluacion-diagnostico-RRD.pdf)
 Living with Risk: a global review of disaster risk reduction initiatives around the world.
Inter-Agency Secretariat for the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, UN/ISDR.
Geneva, Switzerland www.unisdr.org/eng/about_isdr/bd-lwr-2004-eng.htm (contributed to
both preliminary version in 2002, and 2004 final version).
 A Global Report. Reducing Disaster Risk: a Challenge for Development. United Nations
Development Programme, UNDP. Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery, BCPR.
New York, 2004. http://www.undp.org/cpr/disred/rdr.htm
 Guidelines: National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction. UNISDR, Geneva, 2007
(HS was tasked with the development of the first draft in 2004 and contributed to
successive revisions). http://www.unisdr.org/eng/country-inform/ci-guiding-princip.htm
 Technical reviewer for the Spanish translation of the UN publication Words into Action: a
Guide for Implementing the Hyogo Framework. United Nations secretariat of the
International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), Geneva, Switzerland, 2007.
“(Translation funded by DARA Initiative, finalized in September
2008).www.unisdr.org/eng/hfa/docs/Words-into-action/Words-Into-Action.pdf
V. AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
 National Civil Protection System of Panama, SINAPROC; awarded with “Mención al
Mérito”, for his contribution to the disaster risk reduction in Panamá. Resolution No. of the
Ministry of Government of Panama. Received in the context of the 20th
Anniversary of the
establishment of SINAPROC.

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 IRDR– Integrated Research on Disaster Risk Scientific Committee. International
Scientific Union-ISU- Nominated in 2013 by Dr. Omar Dario Cardona (Sasakawa
Awarded Winner) as candidate for the Americas to integrate the IRDR Scientific Committee.
(a candidate from Africa won the nomination that year).
 DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) awarded to pursue doctoral studies in
Germany (Full Scholarship). Selected among candidates from the Latin American region.
October 1999.
VI. LANGUAGES
 Spanish (native)
 English (fluent)
 German (“Deutsche Sprache für Hochschule”, DSH, Goethe Institute in Bremen, April 2000)
 Italian (good spoken skills and understanding)
Countries of residence: Argentina, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Panamá; Switzerland and United
States.