Natural events continue to take a heavy toll on human lives. Added to this are the challenge of dynamic at-risk settings, uncertainty, and increasing threats, which demand holistic, flexible, and quickly adaptable solutions. In this context, mobile applications are strongly emerging as communication tools that can assist in disaster reduction. Yet, these have not been sufficiently evaluated. In view of this, the aim of this research is to evaluate the adequacy of mobile applications in disaster risk reduction in reference to some of the deadliest natural events. To this purpose, a two-part methodology is developed. Firstly, a random sample of applications is evaluated and contrasted with the literature. Secondly, the viability of mobile applications is determined based on the Digital Application Potential Index proposed by the authors, cross-referenced in Geographical Information Systems with the WorldRiskIndex. The results show that most mobile applications limit their coverage range to only one stage of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and one type of hazard event, failing to address systemic risk and hampering the scale-up of humanitarian response. For these to become adequate and wide-reaching, strong policies to promote reliability, transparency, and citizen empowerment would be required. The policies establishing the use of mobile applications as a viable tool for DRM must consider reducing the prices of internet connectivity while increasing educational levels, on top of language translation. At this point, the adoption of mobile applications is unable to ensure DRM communication, especially in countries with higher-risk levels, requiring these to be complemented with auxiliary tools. Graphic abstract

La frecuencia de eventos climáticos extremos, derivados del cambio climático, ha aumentado en las últimas décadas. Guatemala, Costa Rica y Nicaragua son tres de los países con mayor vulnerabilidad debido a la combinación de factores climáticos junto con los sociales y económicos. Aprovechando el impulso dado a la digitalización, en muchas áreas en desarrollo, para promover la comunicación y la accesibilidad a la información a todos los usuarios, la investigación que aquí se expone evalúa la efectividad y viabilidad de la introducción de aplicaciones digitales en los planes de gestión de riesgo en dichos países. De acuerdo con los resultados de la investigación, se prevé que la comunicación a través de internet sea más efectiva y que, a pesar del potencial de las aplicaciones móviles, éstas podrán incluirse como recurso se acompañan de las políticas adecuadas y de los avances tecnológicos necesarios en cada país.