CDERA Prepares Matrix of Disaster Management Activities for 2001-2004

Agency has prepared a Matrix within the context of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Agenda (CDM) to provide an overview of Disaster Management activities being undertaken or being planned for the Caribbean region during the period 2001-2004.

CDM is the integrated management of all natural and human-induced hazards, involving management through all phases of the Disaster Management Cycle (prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and restoration). CDM engages the public and private sectors, civil society, urban and rural communities, and the general population in hazard prone areas. CDM is therefore multi-hazard, and multi-sectoral in its application and is concerned primarily with integrating vulnerability assessment and risk reduction into development planning and management.

A Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) strategy for the implementation of CDM was adopted by donors and partners in June 2001, in Barbados. CDERA has been identified as the key regional institution for leading CDM.

Contributions to the Matrix

In formulating the Matrix, input was drawn from regional and international donors and agencies which have an interest in disaster management, the document is however intended to be a living document and it is hoped that other partners in the region will provide information for its elaboration. Efforts are being engaged to facilitate an opportunity for partners to update the Matrix themselves.

Structure of the Document

The Matrix is set out under six main programme areas in keeping with the CDM Strategy

• Section 1: IR-1 Institutional Strengthening within Regional and National Institutions.
• Section 2: IR-2 Research and Training
• Section 3: IR-3 CDM incorporation and promotion.
• Section 4: IR-4 Preparedness, Response and Mitigation measures
• Section 5: IR-5 Hazard Information and Physical Planning in Participating States.
• Section 6: Public Education and Information.

In interpreting the information in the Matrix, it must be noted that it includes activities being undertaken as well as those being planned.

Activities being undertaken are recognized by the start and end dates included in their columns. The other activities being planned are presented that partners can get an indication of the existing gaps for which support is being required to address them.

Conclusion

This inventory of Disaster Management activities will benefit all CDERAs’ donors and collaborators as it is the first step in identifying opportunities to build synergies, avoid duplication and provide much needed disaster management assistance to the region during the embryonic years of the implementation of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy.

CDERA is the acronym for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency. It is a regional inter- governmental agency established in September 1991 by an Agreement of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to be responsible for disaster management in the Caribbean region. There are presently sixteen (16) Participating States within CDERA’s membership.

The url is http://www.cdera.org and the matrix can be found at http://www.cdera.org/Special_Projects/cdm/dmmatrix.htm.