Jackson: CDEMA making a difference

DESPITE some challenging times, there is anecdotal and empirical evidence that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) over the years has made a difference in the region.

 

So says Executive Director, Ronald Jackson, who was addressing a number of stakeholders at the opening ceremony of the Technical Advisory Committee and 25th anniversary celebrations launch last Wednesday night.

 

“Our Participating States have implemented or are in the process of implementing disaster risk management legislation. We have also been able to involve the key economic sectors in disaster programming, pri-marily agriculture, tourism, civil society, education, physical planning and environment, and finance.

 

“There is also growing private sector interest and engagement and we are hoping that this year will see marked improvement over the next year,” he stated.

 

The executive director also stated that there has also been a contribution to the development of a more organised framework for the management of disasters and disaster risk in our region.

 

“All of our Participating States now have dedicated and staffed disaster offices. This was not so in the beginning. There is also now a much higher level of political awareness and support for disaster management even though there is still work to be done.

 

“I stand here before you on the shoulders of others who have passed, served ahead of me and laid down tremendous foundations and so it would be remiss of me if I did not acknowledge the great contribution of my predecessor, Jeremy Collymore, in securing many of the achievements of the Agency. The contributions of our present and former National Disaster Co-ordinators have also been vital and must be duly recognised,” he said.

 

Jackson told the specially invited guests that over the past three years of his tenure, emphasis has been placed on forging a stronger linkage between disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, and the integration of these considerations into national level development planning. The impact of Climate Change on CARICOM SIDS implies a threat to human safety, security and economic prosperity, manifested through the increased impacts of natural hazard events such as floods, droughts, environment and public health; and through an increase in the frequency and scale of population displacement.

 

“By seeking to better demonstrate the nexus/convergence in these two agenda, we seek to better position the CDM Strategy to mobilise resources and build partnerships to address the key challenges in these areas that are affecting our region. If we do not address current risk, then we will be creating a far more challenging future to manage.”

 

Jackson also highlighted the importance of the two-day 7th Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which he noted is being convened on the heels and eve of very important Global Agendas and Conventions.

 

“And as such, the members will be charged with providing critical input and advice that will allow the Member States and the Region to continue to maintain its agenda, interest and relevance within the Global Resilience Building Market Place.

 

“This year marks the first in a very long time that we have had 16 of our 18 National Disaster Co-ordinators attending and participating in the meetings and I for one am excited by the opportunity to engage and be engaged with them as we look at the plans for the immediate future. As per normal, this meeting will provide us with an opportunity to review and discuss the achievements and challenges of the Agency over the past year.”

 

Jackson revealed that the meeting will consider the results delivered under the CDEMA Corporate Plan for 2014 to 2015 and 2015 to mid-2016; and the work plan for 2016-2017 of the CDEMA Co-ordinating Unit. There will also be a number of technical discussions as well as technical exchanges with several regional specialised institutions. (JH)