Regional Consultation Workshop

Providenciales, TCI, November 30, 2016 – Deputy Director for the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (Ms. Rikardia Pardo) attended two regional events which took place in Barbados during 21^st – 25^th November, 2016:

1. The Regional Consultation meeting on the Harmonization of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The main objective of the consultation meeting, which was held on 22^nd November, 2016, was to provide inputs and validate results on the harmonization of global and regional Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks with specific emphasis on global targets and indicators with regional outcome indicators and the CDM Action Plan. This initiative was supported by the Austrian Development Agency and Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).

1. Annual Achievements and Priorities in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Caribbean. This workshop was organized together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the office of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Barbados and the OECS as well as ECHO and took place from 23-24 November 2016 under the framework of the DIPECHO Action Plan 2015-2016. The main objectives of this workshop were to:

• Present achievements, good practices and tools related to the main thematic areas of the 2015-2016 DIPECHO Action Plan for the Caribbean: Early Warning Systems, Information & Knowledge Management on DRR, Communication on DRR, Institutionalization of DRR processes;
• Review regional and national DRR priorities; as well as to
• Strengthen operational links to and facilitate the implantation of the CDM strategy and Sendai Framework.

These events brought together representatives from National Disaster Management Agencies as well as different ministries, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, United Nations organizations, representatives of the media as well as donor agencies working in the field of disaster risk reduction.

Returning from the event, Ms. Pardo stated that … “both events proved to be a success; providing greater   insight into the DRR initiatives currently being carried out within the region. Additionally the events has helped to identify a number of recommended action points for the implementation of disaster risk reduction throughout the Caribbean. Lessons learnt and best practices identified will also assist the DDME in exploring new mitigation and disaster preparation initiatives for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

 During the event, Ms. Pardo formed part of a panel discussion and presented on National DRR Priorities for the Turks and Caicos Islands; these priorities focused primarily on areas which:

1. Strengthened and sustained capacity for a culture of safety and community resilience in participating states;
2. Increased and sustained knowledge management and learning for CDM.

For more information visit the following links:

1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction –  http://www.unisdr.org/we/coordinate/sendai-framework
2. Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and Framework – http://www.cdema.org/CDMStrategy2014-2024.pdf