ODPEM Acting Director General Ronald Jackson presents Audrey Mullings with the award from CDERA. The award reads "Presented to Audrey Y. Mullings in recognition of your exemplary service to disaster management in the Caribbean region 1994-2004

Kingston, Jamaica, July 19, 2007 (Jamaica Red Cross)  - Audrey Yvonne Mullings, longstanding disaster management specialist and volunteer with the Jamaica Red Cross, was honoured by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) on July 18, 2007 at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and  Emergency Management (ODPEM). ODPEM bestowed the award on behalf of CDERA.

Present at the ceremony were the Acting Director General of ODPEM, Mr. Ronald Jackson; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government & Environment, Mr. Devon Rowe; the President, Director General and Deputy Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross - Dr. Jaslin Salmon, Ms. Yvonne Clarke and Mrs. Lois Hue respectively. Other close relatives, friends and colleagues were also present. Mr. Jackson, in his remarks - which he mentioned was not scripted but was coming straight from his heart - noted that Audrey is a true role model not just to him but also to the other younger disaster management professionals. He added that Audrey was one of the first persons who called him to congratulate him on his promotion from Deputy to Acting Director General. “She has always encouraged me to give of my best and always cheers me on when I do a great job but she is also not one to hold her tongue when she’s ready to speak her mind.”

Audrey proudly poses with her award

Miss Mullings has been actively involved in all aspects of disaster management in the Caribbean and its environs for well over 20 years. Her first real experience in disaster management was in June 1979 when floods impacted Jamaica and the Jamaica Red Cross appointed her their representative in the western region of the Island. Five years later, in 1984 Audrey became the first Jamaican and Caribbean national to be the Caribbean Region Representative for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (formerly League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).  In her 9 years in this position she provided leadership and management for the Red Cross component of the unique Pan-Caribbean Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Project, where she traveled the length and breadth of the Caribbean and surrounding countries with her mission.  During her tenure, one of her major accomplishments was laying the foundation for what is now a flagship programme of the Red Cross in the Caribbean – Community Disaster Management.

In January 1994 she became Deputy Coordinator of the CDERA, which is the regional organization established by the CARICOM Heads of Government to lead and coordinate disaster management programmes in the Caribbean region.  During her 11 years with this organization her mission to spread the importance of disaster management was fulfilled whether it was representing CDERA at regional and international meetings and conferences; spearheading development programme activities for community disaster planning and shelter management, or preparing manuals to assist with these initiatives.

In her response, Miss Mullings, who was overwhelmed with tears, thanked her colleagues for their contribution which she added made her work easier. “I am happy that my contributions have been useful, however I could not have done it alone.”

Currently Audrey is a Consultant with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) as a Risk Management Specialist.
She continues to volunteer with the Jamaica Red Cross Society and finds time to indulge in her passion for music and singing.

For further information or to set up interviews please contact:
Trevesa DaSilva-Ashman, Jamaica Red Cross at 876-984-7860-2
Email: tdasilva@jamaicaredcross.org