Volcanic Risk Workshop

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), in collaboration with the University of East Anglia (UK) and the Seismic Research Centre is conducting a Volcanic Risk Workshop in St Vincent and the Grenadines from today.{{more}}

The workshop, which will run until January 17, is taking place at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown.

Guest speakers at this morning’s opening ceremony, which begins at 8:30 a.m., are director of NEMO Howie Prince; executive officer, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Ronald Jackson; director, Seismic Research Centre Dr Joan Latchman; leader of the STREVA Project Jenni Barclay and National Security advisor in the Ministry of National Security Sir Vincent Beache.

The objectives of this workshop are to: explore the awareness and importance of volcanic risk from the perspective of decision makers, government officials, emergency responders, monitoring agencies and the public of St Vincent and the Grenadines; to focus on the potential impact of and response to future eruptions; to explore how risk communication varies between social groups and the mechanisms by which messages and information is transferred.

The workshop activities include a boat trip to the leeward side, community visits, and feedback and discussion.