Acapulco de Juárez

Acapulco de Juárez, a coastal city in the Mexican state of Guerrero, is known for its stunning beaches, cultural heritage, and historic significance as a global tourist destination. With a population of nearly 850,000, the city balances its role as a tourism hub with ongoing social and economic challenges. About 400,000 residents live in poverty, including over 126,000 in extreme poverty.

Acapulco’s location makes it highly exposed to natural hazards such as hurricanes and flooding. Recent disasters like Hurricane Otis in 2023 and John in 2024 have drastically shown the need for robust risk management and urban resilience. The city is making strides in infrastructure, urban planning, and disaster preparedness, while also expressing a strong commitment to climate and disaster risk financing mechanisms.

Acapulco de Juárez is taking important steps to strengthen its disaster risk management in light of increasing climate-related threats. The city uses a Municipal Risk Atlas to guide safer urban development and has updated its Civil Protection Regulations to align with national standards. As part of the “Safe Municipality Resilient to Disasters” program, Acapulco is improving local response capacity and integrating risk reduction into planning.

Efforts also include community engagement, emergency response plans for key hazards, and post-disaster reconstruction focused on resilience. Collaboration with national agencies like National Water Commission and the Federal Electricity Commission supports the restoration and reinforcement of essential infrastructure.