Ambassador León’s participation is particularly valuable to the Center. He has extensive experience representing the community and has guided his fellow citizen's community in terms of disaster response from the United States. Ambassador León also knows well the devastation caused by both Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and the earthquakes of 2001in El Salvador. He is also familiar with the subsequent generosity of individuals around the world for disaster victims in his country.

The Center’s Director, Ms. Suzanne Brooks, expressed her delight in learning that Ambassador Leon had agreed to work with the Center.  For the many years I have worked on international disasters one of the Center’s objectives has always been to take the lessons learned from one major disaster and implement them where we can in responding to future emergencies. In my opinion, Ambassador León’s efforts to encourage US-based public response to the earthquakes in 2001 is a excellent example of how similar events can be handled successfully by government whose countries have been affected by man-made and natural disasters. It will be an honor and a privilege to work with Ambassador León to reach out to others in the community.

Since its inception in 1988, the CIDI has worked closely with embassies and consulates of disaster-prone countries around the world—providing those offices with guidance in handling public inquiries related to disaster relief and preparedness issues. In recent years the Center has begun to take a more proactive approach to work with diplomatic staff to provide information and services before disasters affect those countries. The program will provide a comprehensive forum for sharing experiences with colleagues in the diplomatic community, international relief agencies, immigrant communities and the private sector.

The Center’s efforts over the past 13 years have focused on providing information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief activities. The CIDI’s goals go beyond addressing requirements for appropriate material and technical assistance in the wake of a disaster, and stress the importance and necessity of international assistance lent with cultural sensitivity and dignity for disaster victims around the world.