Source: http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/NewViewNewsleft.cfm?Record=33968
Bridgetown, Barbados, Dec 13, 2007 (Barbados Advocate) - A more comprehensive set of baseline data is crucial in order to formulate policy to support the disaster management agenda, according to Secretary General of CARICOM, His Excellency Edwin Carrington.
Furthermore, the secretary-general urged all in the Caribbean "to heed the calls to disaster management and adaptation, particularly in the face of climate change".
Carrington was addressing delegates at this week's Second Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management, being held at the Hilton Barbados.
The evening also marked the official opening ceremony for an exhibition, which will be open to the public and seeks to promote awareness of the areas of disaster preparedness, risk reduction and adaptation to climate change in the Caribbean.
Quoting statistics published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, he spoke of the startling reality of the impact of natural disasters on four selected Caribbean territories over a 24-year period: 8 000 lives lost, six million persons affected and US$5.6 billion damages sustained. More worrying was his statement based on research that such damage can bring with it a po- tential 15-year recovery period.
The classic example of Grenada and its devastation following Hurricane Ivan was cited, with the mammoth 200 per cent of its gross domestic product lost and present day detrimental effects still being felt.
Against what appears to be a heightened preponderance to natural disasters despite its relatively low contribution to climate change, Carrington explained how critical it is to respond to this.
He also noted that there is a strong link between the pursuit of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and disaster management.
"It is important that the regional decision-makers recognise that building capacity in disaster management is not merely the post-disaster humani- tarian exercise. Rather, it must be supported with adequate allocation of resources," he said.
In terms of a comprehensive, region-wide response, requirements for building resilience mechanisms, along with, expanding the scope for co-operation, were stated as essential by the secretary-general.
Partnerships are already being formed, with one such player , the Government of Canada, providing best-practice to support the Caribbean's own local efforts.
Deputy High Com- missioner and Head of Development, CIDA, Kathryn Dunlop, stated that the Canadian government would seek to assist the Caribbean with creating its own strategies within the area rather than set a blueprint. To that end, she highlighted a commitment from the Canadian government of CAN$20 million in support of disaster management over the next eight years.
With the recent earthquake in Barbados undoubtedly fresh in the minds of many, the public exhibition will provide an opportunity to view many facets of the disaster management exercise in terms of managing and reducing the impact; with information being provided from many of the agencies such as the Barbados Fire Service and Pan American Health Organisation.
The exhibition is now open to the public at the Hilton Hotel.
