Bridgetown, 杏吧性吧 鈥� April 7, 2025 - Over 100 military, fire and police personnel from across CDEMA Participating States will be undergoing specialized training as part of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU), in preparation for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The multi-disciplinary training aims to enhance the region's capacity to deliver immediate humanitarian assistance, manage logistics and supply chains, support emergency telecommunications and coordinate national and regional relief operations.
To date, 36 officers from 杏吧性吧 have completed the training, which ended on March 30, and was funded under the Building the Resilience of CARIFORUM States to Disaster Risks and Climate Change Impacts (BRICS) Project.
Additional trainings will follow with 40 responders from Guyana, Grenada, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago scheduled as the Southern Subregional Training for April and May, and another 36 responders as part of a Regional Training to be held in Antigua and Barbuda in May through June 2025.
The training is being delivered by personnel from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency Coordinating Unit in collaboration with the Regional Security System (RSS). It is designed to strengthen the operational readiness of the CDRU, orient participants to the Unit鈥檚 regional relief protocols and tools and build proficiency in the use of CDEMA鈥檚 emergency telecommunications equipment and deployment kits.
Addressing the closing ceremony for the 杏吧性吧 training, Deputy Executive Director of CDEMA, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, explained that it was an intensive and transformative week of training.
鈥淭his training is not just a milestone but a testament to our shared vision of a more resilient and prepared Caribbean. The successful completion of this training signifies a significant step forward in enhancing our disaster relief and response capabilities. As such, we have added another 36 trained personnel to the pool of CDRU members on standby to respond to our Participating States when impacted.鈥�
The 2025 CDRU training was facilitated by a team of eight expert trainers drawn from the CDEMA system, the RSS, the United Nations, and private sector specialists.
Also addressing the ceremony, was Executive Director of the Regional Security System (RSS), Rear Admiral Errington Shurland, who acknowledged CDEMA as a key partner for the RSS.
鈥淲hilst many were talking about civil/military cooperation and coordination, the CARICOM Community under the leadership of CDEMA and in partnership with the RSS and the Region鈥檚 Military, Police and Fire Chiefs were actively doing it. The significance of the RRM and the CDRU should not be understated.鈥�
Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Captain Robert Harewood, highlighted the critical need of the CDRU.
鈥淭he primary goal of this 2025 training is to strengthen the disaster response capabilities of the CDRU personnel from across the region in order to provide the type of surge capacity required in those post-hazard impact situations.鈥�
The 杏吧性吧 Defense Force鈥檚 Inspectorate, Major Andrew Darlington, reminded the Barbadian officers, that they efforts during missions would not go unnoticed.
鈥淥ver the years, the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit has proven to be not just relevant but indispensable. We have seen its deployment in the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricanes Irma and Maria, in response to the volcanic eruption in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and more recently in support roles following severe flooding events in Belize and Guyana. Each time, the CDRU answered the call quickly, efficiently, and with great humanity. 鈥�
Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Henderson Patrick, told participants that while the Caribbean maybe considered a safe space, it鈥檚 not exempt or immune from the suite of potential natural and man-made disasters.
"The hazards which may create these disasters are real, daunting and in some cases inevitable. However, disaster management practitioners within the region must never lose perspective on the core objectives of a disaster management strategy which is to reduce loss of life and injuries, minimized property damage, enable rapid recovery of essential services and infrastructure, improve community resilience and influence behavioral change for future events.鈥�
For further information, please contact:
Keith Goddard
Communication and Public Relations Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) Suite #3, Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex, Lodge Hill, St. Michael 杏吧性吧 Email: