CARICOM S S Experience in Comprehensive Disaster Management Part 1 CDEMA & the Regional Response Mechanism Presented by Lt Col Clyde Parris, Defense Attaché, Embassy of Barbados for and on behalf of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Washington DC, Thursday March 25, 2010
Presentation Overview Caribbean Vulnerability to Hazards The Role and Function of CDEMA CDM A Regional Framework for Cooperation and Resource Sharing in Disaster Management CDEMA & the Regional Response Mechanism The Way Forward 2
CARIBBEAN VULNERABILITY TO HAZARDS 3
Hazards and Caribbean Reality 1. 2 nd most hazard prone region 2. Increased exposure to natural hazards within the last two decades 3. Three times more disasters in 1990 s than in the 1970 s 4. Regular annual losses of US$ 3 billion 5. Increasing significant losses to social and productive sectors (tourism, agriculture, housing, infrastructure) > 68% 6. Loss to GDP 7. Climate variability and change likely to increase frequency and severity of hydro-meteorological events 4
Disaster Experiences 1. Clarendon Jamaica Flood Event May 2002 (Acknowledgement JDF) Palmiste, Grenada Hurricane Lenny, 1999 Volcanic Eruption, Montserrat (Montserrat Volcano Observatory) Dominica Earthquake, 2004 Grenada - Hurricane Lenny, 1999 5
Disaster Impact Quantified 6
Institutionalizing Frameworks for Disaster Management Growing decisive action at the regional level Evolution from improvisation and largely adhoc response to systematic disaster preparedness and response (1960s-1990s) Dedicated and more advanced disaster management institutions at the regional and national levels (CDERA,1991/CDEMA, 2009 and NDOs) Movement towards and adoption of Comprehensive Disaster Management (Strategy and Results Framework developed 2001, revised in 2006) 7
THE ROLE AND FUNCTION OF THE CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) 8
Overview of CDEMA CDEMA (formally CDERA) is the regional inter-governmental Agency responsible for disaster management in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) CDERA established in 1991 by an Agreement of Heads of Government of CARICOM September 1, 2009 official date of transition from CDERA to CDEMA 18 Participating States with others as observers 9
CDEMA Map Overview of CDEMA CDEMA (formally CDERA) is a regional intergovernmental Agency responsible for disaster management in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) CDERA established in 1991 by an Agreement of Heads of Government of CARICOM September 1, 2009 official date of transition from CDERA to CDEMA 18 Participating States with others as observers CARILEC 2010 SAFETY CONFERENCE,SAINT VINCENT & THE GRENADINES 10
CDEMA Structure International Agencies Regional Agencies Council of Ministers National Governments Technical Advisory Committee Coordinating Unit National Disaster Offices Executive Director Deputy E.D. CDEMA CU Staff 11
Background CDEMA is established on principles of inter-governmental cooperation A number of small states with large vulnerabilities and limited individual capacity Rationalizing diverse actions towards a common goal was central to operationalizing the Agreement 12
CDEMA s Functions (a) mobilising and coordinating disaster relief; (b) mitigating or eliminating, as far as practicable, the immediate consequences of disasters in Participating States; (c) providing immediate and coordinated response by means of emergency disaster relief to any affected Participating State; (d) securing, coordinating and providing to interested inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations reliable and comprehensive information on disasters affecting any Participating State; 13
CDEMA s Functions (cont d) (e) encouraging (i) the adoption of disaster loss reduction and mitigation policies and practices at the national and regional level; (ii) cooperative arrangements and mechanisms to facilitate the development of a culture of disaster loss reduction; and (iii) coordinating the establishment, enhancement and maintenance of adequate emergency disaster response capabilities among the Participating States. 14
CDM A REGIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COOPERATION AND RESOURCE SHARING IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT 15
What is Comprehensive Disaster Management? Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) is the management of all hazards through all phases of the disaster management cycle prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation by all peoples public and private sectors, all segments of civil society and the general population in hazard prone areas. CDM involves risk reduction & management and integration of vulnerability assessment into the development planning process. (CDERA 2001, 2006) 16
CDM A Paradigm Shift Reactive Disaster Office Anticipatory Shared Responsibility FROM: a focus on individual hazards TO: viewing hazard exposure as an ongoing process and aims to reduce vulnerability across all sectors (CGCED 2002) 17
CDM in Context Global and Regional Agendas: Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 CARICOM Regional Programming Framework 2005 2015 Caribbean Single Market and Economy St. George s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States) 18
CDM Benefits A regional framework for disaster management: Emphasizes natural hazard risk reduction Promotes a culture of safety Recognizes that strengthening disaster preparedness for better response is critical Encourages strategic partner alliances Advocates for empowering of sector partners to (take responsibility) and lead dissemination and advocacy with their constituency 19
Partnerships for Risk Reduction: A Key Pillar of CDM Since its inception, CDEMA has pursued a policy of collaboration with national, regional and international organisations which have overlapping interests Minimises duplication Ensures more rational use of the limited resources available to the region Ensures that technical assistance provided is of the highest quality as each agency is allowed to take the lead in the area where it has specific technical expertise 20
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Regional Partnerships The Caribbean Development Bank The Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility The Caribbean Water & Waste Water Association The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology The Caribbean Agriculture Research & Development institute The Inter American Development Bank The Pan American Health Organization The Regional Security System The University of the West indies The West Indies Cricket Board Plus CARICOM Agencies (IMPACS, etc) 22
Intra-Regional Partnerships Information Sharing Conferences, Workshops & Exercises: CEPREDENAC The Central American Centre for the Coordination & Prevention of Natural Disasters: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Salvador & Panama CAPADRE The South American Northern Zone Committee for Disaster Prevention and Assistance: Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru & Venezuela MERCOSUR (Southern Cone) The Committee for the Prevention and Handling of Disasters: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay & Uruguay 23
International Partnerships A number of international partners provide support in: Project sponsorships Training Workshops Regional Exercises Relief Supplies Warehouses & Emergency Operations Centre Construction Assessments 24
CDM Strategy Summary Goal Regional Sustainable Development enhanced through Comprehensive Disaster Management Purpose To strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for the mitigation, management and coordinated response to natural and anthropological hazards, and the effects of climate change 25
CDM Strategy and Framework 2007-2012: OUTCOMES 1. Enhanced institutional support for CDM Program implementation at national and regional levels 2. An effective mechanism and programme for management and sharing of CDM knowledge is established and utilized for decision making 3. Comprehensive Disaster Management has been mainstreamed at national levels and incorporated into key sectors of national economies (including tourism, health, education, infrastructure, planning and agriculture) 4. Enhanced community resilience in CDERA states/ territories to mitigate and respond to the adverse effects of climate variability and change and disasters 26
CDM Strategy and Framework 2007-2012 GOAL Regional Sustainable Development enhanced through Comprehensive Disaster Management PURPOSE To strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation, management, and coordinated response to natural and technological hazards, and the effects of climate change. OUTCOME 1: OUTCOME 2: OUTCOME 3: OUTCOME 4: Enhanced institutional support for CDM Program implementation at national and regional levels An effective mechanism and programme for management of comprehensive disaster management knowledge has been established Comprehensive Disaster Management has been mainstreamed at national levels and incorporated into key sectors of national economies (including tourism, health and agriculture) Enhanced community resilience in CDERA states/ territories to mitigate and respond to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters 1.1 National Disaster Organizations are strengthened for supporting CDM implementation and a CDM program is developed for implementation at the national level 2.1 Establishment of a Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Network to include a Disaster Risk Reduction Centre and other centres of excellence for knowledge sharing and management in the region 3.1 CDM is recognised as the road map for building resilience and Decisionmakers in the public and private sectors understand and take action on Disaster Risk Management 4.1 Preparedness, response and mitigation capacity (technical and managerial) is enhanced among public, private and civil sector entities for local level management and response 1.2 CDERA CU is strengthened and restructured for effectively supporting the adoption of CDM in member countries 2..2 Infrastructure for fact-based policy and decision making is established/enhanced 3.2 Disaster Risk Management capacity enhanced for lead sector agencies, National and regional insurance entities, and financial institutions. 4.2 Improved coordination and collaboration between community disaster organizations and other research/data partners including climate change entities for undertaking comprehensive disaster management 1.3 Governments of participating states/ territories support CDM and have integrated CDM into national policies and strategies 2.3 Improved understanding and knowledge sharing on priority hazards 3.3 Hazard information and Disaster Risk Management is integrated into sectoral policies, laws, development planning and operations, and decision-making (in the tourism, health and agriculture sectors, planning and infrastructure 4.3 Communities more aware and knowledgeable on disaster management and related procedures including safer building techniques 1.4 Donor programming integrates CDM into related environmental, climate change and disaster management programming in the region. 2.4 Existing educational and training materials for Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Management are standardized in the region. 3.4 Sectoral Prevention, Preparedness and Response/Mitigation Procedures developed and Implemented (in the tourism, health and agriculture, planning and infrastructure 4.4 Standardized holistic and gendersensitive community methodologies for natural and anthropogenic hazard identification and mapping, vulnerability assessments and early warning systems developed and applied in selected communities. 1.5 Improved coordination at national and regional levels for disaster management 2.5 A Strategy and curriculum for building a culture of safety is established in the region 4.5 Early Warning Systems for disaster risk reduction enhanced at the community and national levels 1.6 Capacity for monitoring, evaluation and reporting is built 27
CDM and Response Operations GOAL Regional Sustainable Development through CDM PURPOSE To strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation, management, and coordinated response to natural and technological hazards, and the effects of climate change. OUTCOME 1: OUTCOME 2: OUTCOME 3: OUTCOME 4: Enhanced institutional support for CDM Program implementation at national and regional levels An effective mechanism and programme for management of comprehensive disaster management knowledge has been established Disaster Risk Management has been mainstreamed at national levels and incorporated into key sectors of national economies Enhanced community resilience in CDEMA states/ territories to mitigate and respond to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters 28
OUTCOMES 1 and 3: Response Coordination Output 1.5 - Improved coordination at national and regional levels for disaster management Output 4.1 - Preparedness, response and mitigation capacity (technical and managerial) is enhanced among public, private and civil sector entities for local level management and response 29
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No State, no matter how powerful, can by its own efforts alone make itself invulnerable to today s threats. Every State requires the cooperation of other States to make itself secure. It is in every State s interest, accordingly, to cooperate with other States to address their most pressing threats, because doing so will maximize the chances of reciprocal cooperation to address its own threat priorities. (Report of United Nations High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change December 2004 A More Secure World: Our Shared Responsibility.) 31
Response Operations in CDEMA Participating States The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) is an arrangement for the coordination of disaster response among CDEMA Participating States, Regional and International Agencies Seeks to deliver speedy response and effective and efficient use and management of resources Tried and tested mechanism for emergency coordination familiarity of actors and processes. 32
The Regional Response Mechanism: An Overview The RRM is: A number of Plans, Procedures & Guidelines A group of Response Units, agencies and organizations A collection of Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding and Protocols Executed by the CDEMA Coordinated Unit on behalf of CDEMA Participating States 33
Components of the Regional Response Mechanism The Regional Coordination Centre (RCC) The Regional Coordination Plan (RCP) The Regional Telecommunications Plan Response Teams The CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) The Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT) The Regional Urban Search & Rescue Light Level Team (USAR LL) The Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) The North Western Caribbean Donor Group (NWCDG) National Disaster Plans, Specialized Plans, etc. Regional Warehouses MOU, Acts, SOPs 34
The Regional Response Mechanism 35
Coordination of the RRM CDEMA CU coordinates the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) in the Caribbean CDEMA CU is the focal point for effecting the plan with the support of other partners (donors, specialized agencies etc.) CDEMA CU solicits assistance on behalf of and for its 18 Participating States Response philosophy: CDEMA's response to natural and technological disasters will be dictated by the type, magnitude and complexity of the emergency and by the Participating State(s) capacity to respond 36
Triggering the Mechanism The Regional Coordination Plan defines the framework for effecting the multi-lateral agreements of CDERA PS to assist each other in times of disasters Organised in 2 Parts: Basic Plan: triggering mechanism for activating plan (3 levels) and concept of operations Functional Annexes: SOPs for specific response functions (SAR) or specialized groups (ECDG, CDRU); References (CDERA Agreement, MOU) The RCP is in support of National Plans and as such the National Plans must make provisions for triggering the RRM System based on a three tiered response mechanism 37
Levels of Response LEVEL I - Local Incident - no external assistance required An incident at the local level in any of CDEMA Participating States for which resources are adequate and available CDEMA CU monitoring and information sharing 38
Levels of Response Cont d LEVEL II- Specialized Equipment and Experts Event does not overwhelm national capacity to respond but some external assistance required (e.g. Andrew Bahamas, 1992. Debby - St Lucia, 1994, Keith - Belize, 2000, Dean Jamaica, 2007) State of emergency may or may not be declared CDEMA CU provides technical assistance, specialized equipment, support personnel 39
Levels of Response Cont d LEVEL III Support Required Event overwhelms capacity of affected State to respond. Major external operation mounted. Possible request for additional support from other regions and international agencies anticipated (Hurricanes Gilbert Jamaica, 1988, Hugo Montserrat, 1989, Lenny 7 Eastern Caribbean Countries, 1999, Ivan Grenada, 2004) 40
Response Teams Regional USAR LL Team The CDRU for 2009/2010 41
Regional USAR LL Team Training 42
EXERCISE FAHUM 2009 This allowed CDERA the opportunity to deploy the CDRU, the Regional SAR Team & the Rapid Needs Assessment Team to the impacted state during the Exercise 43
The Way Forward CDEMA CU will continue to: Act as a hub for information, consultation and coordination for the region Provide Participating States and regional/international partners with a focal point for coordination Conduct regional simulation/tests (FAHUM, TradeWinds, Region Rap) with key regional, intra-regional and international actors 44
Point of Contact: CDEMA CU CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) Building No. 1, Manor Lodge Complex Lodge Hill, Saint Michael, BARBADOS Tel. No. (246) 425-0386 Fax. No. (246) 425-8854 Email: cdera@caribsurf.com URL: www.cdera.org 45
THE END ANY QUESTIONS??? THANK YOU 46