CDEMA reinforcing disaster risk reduction

 

THE Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) are reinforcing dis-aster risk reduction and creating a resilience culture in the Caribbean.
 
This is through the “Strengthening Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies and Capacities for Resilience in the Caribbean” project, supported by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
 
The recently started project will contribute to strengthening DRR monitoring capacities at national and regional levels in the Caribbean; increased knowledge and capacities for local resilience and community safety through enhanced capacities and commitment for safe schools; and enhanced risk-sensitive business investment.
 
Head of the Regional Office of the Americas of UNISDR, Ricardo Mena, said that the importance of projects of this nature is due to its “contribution to the timely implementation of the Sendai Framework, applying an inclusive approach to disaster risk reduction involving key actors at regional, national and local levels”.
 
He mentioned further that the harmonisation of the 2014-2024 Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy indicators and monitoring system with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction will facilitate national and regional reporting to both frameworks and is showcasing a good practice in the Americas region. This initiative is co-funded by the European Commis-sion’s Directorate-General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO).
 
He, therefore, made a call for all participants gathered for the “Disaster Risk Reduction Development Partners” meeting to promote an integrated vision where “disaster risk reduction and the adaptation to climate change are components that must be tackled together in order to effectively contribute to increasing resilience in each and every community within the regions vulnerable to disasters, such as the Caribbean”.
 
According to Executive Director of CDEMA, Ronald Jackson, the partnership on this project will directly contribute to the delivery of the Caribbean Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 2014-2024, which is the roadmap being utilised by CARICOM Member States towards the realisation of the Safer More Resilient and Sustainable Communities.
 
“This project is in keeping with the philosophy of Comprehensive Disaster Management of engaging all sectors of our society in the effort to build a culture of safety. The initiative will assist CDEMA to further its previously established programme for Safe Schools in the Caribbean and strengthen efforts to engage with the private sector on Disaster Risk Management issues.”

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