by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Stakeholders on St. Kitts gathered together at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Ballroom on Friday morning (March 4) to engage in a Disaster Management Orientation Meeting.
The event was scheduled by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Coordinating Unit to help develop a comprehensive Disaster Management Framework in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Disaster Management Framework is an innovative concept for reducing the risk and loss associated with natural and technological hazards while limiting the effects of climate change to ensure the enhancement of sustainable development.
The primary purpose of the audit is data collection, which allows for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assess weaknesses, strengths and resources, including funding.
CDEMA Consultant Ms Denise Murray engaged stakeholders during the audit in an interactive session, focusing on the four phases of the disaster management cycle; Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery.
Group work was carried out where stakeholders responded to questions by ratings of one to three and completed an assessment form.
The session also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to voice their concerns on various matters relating to disaster management in St.Kitts.
As outlined during the meeting, some areas of major importance to disaster management are developing disaster plans, the availability of volunteers, Information Communication Technology (ICT) development (such as software management), saving of assets, and Food Security.
A similar orientation was held in Nevis on Thursday (March 03) at the Nevis Performing Arts Centre, where stakeholders on the island could assist in drafting the Disaster Management Framework.
According to the National Disaster Coordinator, Mr Abdias Samuel, “The all-inclusive approach is visible within the agenda as we have integrated our colleagues from Nevis to participate in leading roles in our efforts to build national resilience to protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens and residents. I am sure that many of us have seen the importance of having an all-of-society approach to managing a crisis as a small island state.”
Ms Murray’s work in the country continues until March 17, 2022, where she will also be conducting focused meetings with stakeholders within the Disaster Management structure.
