Proper coordination is key in disaster management – NEMO

Proper coordination is essential if there is to be equity and transparency in the distribution of emergency supplies.

As he addressed the opening ceremony of the 2016 Hurricane Readiness Workshop held last Thursday, May 26, director of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), Howie Prince said in times of disaster, properly coordinated volunteers play an important role.{{more}}

“We need volunteers. Our system is built on the availability and the functioning of volunteers,” said Prince at the workshop that was organized by the SVG Red Cross, in partnership with the (NEMO).

“That level of coordination is what we look forward to in order to improve and promote a more harmonious relationship between NEMO and the SVG Red Cross and for better provision of services to the people of SVG,” he continued.

“It is imperative that there be proper coordination between agencies, so that when we carry out that work there is equity in the distribution process, and most importantly, there is transparency, because emergency supplies need to be accounted for,” the NEMO director said.

Prince reflected on the fact that the 2016 Hurricane season, which begins tomorrow, June 1, was fast approaching.

“We are right on the crest of yet another Atlantic Hurricane season,” he said.

While Prince referred to the impact of past natural disasters in SVG as relatively small, he also reminded the participants of the threat of just one tropical storm or hurricane.

“We have had relatively small impacts in the past. The floods of 2013 did not impact the entire country. Hurricane Tomas in 2010 did not impact the entire population, yet one tropical storm or one hurricane can impact the entire country, as we saw in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan impacted Grenada,” he said. In opening remarks, vice-president of the SVG Red Cross Dora James said that the Red Cross is well known for its first aid and disaster relief programmes.

“We are known for our vibrant and effective first aid programme, but we are equally known for our dynamic, deliberate and effective disaster programme,” she said.

James also highlighted the aim of the workshop, which was to prepare the national society for the 2016 Hurricane Season by reviewing the disaster response plan and the hurricane contingency plan of the SVG Red Cross.

The objectives of the workshop were to review the national early warning systems for tropical storms and hurricanes; examine the hurricane hazard and vulnerability of coastal communities in SVG; review the roles and responsibilities of the community disaster response groups and Red Cross volunteers in the disaster response process; examine the interface between the national disaster plan and the Red Cross disaster response process plan; and evaluate the performance of various systems and mechanisms within the plan to identify weaknesses and strengths. (CA)