May 13th, 2025 - Havana, Cuba - A joint Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)鈥揅ARICOM delegation recently concluded a five-day mission to Cuba, aimed at advancing the development of a sustainable framework for regional disaster risk reduction collaboration. The May 5鈥�9, 2025 visit, focused on strengthening joint efforts to address shared geographical vulnerabilities and hazard-specific challenges facing the Caribbean.
During the week-long mission, the delegation engaged in a series of informative sessions on the operations of Cuba鈥檚 Civil Defense System, the country鈥檚 approach to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, and the application of the Spatial Data Infrastructure Platform in preparedness and information dissemination. They were also exposed to the methodologies for hazard, vulnerability and risk studies.
The group also toured the Institute of Meteorology (INSMET), the institute of Geophysics and Astronomy, the Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources and the Regional Fire and Rescue Training Centre.
The main objective of the Mission was to develop an Action Plan focused on three areas of collaboration: Seismic Risk Management, Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation as well as Local Risk Management and Community Preparedness.
The visiting CDEMA team was headed by Deputy Executive Director, Lt. Col. Kester Craig and included from the Coordinating Unit, Senior Programme Officer, Preparedness and Response, Ms. Allana Walters, Young Professional Intern (Disaster Risk Management), Ms. Micaela Reece and JICA Expert on Comprehensive DRM for CDEMA, Naoki Matsumura.
That delegation also included from the Bahamas, Minister in the Ministry of Disaster Risk Reductions, the Honourable, Leon Lundy, and his team from team from the Disaster Risk Management Authority including Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr. H. Alex Storr, Managing Director, Mr. Aarone Sargent and Senior Advisor, Captain Stephen Russell. Hazard Mitigation Specialist, Ms. Curmira Gulston and Regional Coordinator Mr. Shane Nelson, from the Office of the Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), and Director of the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, Dr. Erouscilla Joseph, all from Trinidad and Tobago were also a part of the CDEMA team.
Lt. Col. Craig explained that a major reason for the mission was the commitment to safeguarding the people of the Caribbean, adding that the shared experiences of the CDEMA Participating States, demand a united response.
鈥淥ur visit reaffirmed the value of regional solidarity and the importance of people-centered cooperation in building a stronger, more resilient Caribbean. It also represented a pivotal opportunity to align technical expertise, resources, and disaster risk strategies across the Caribbean. By fostering joint planning and knowledge exchange with Cuba, we are creating a sustainable mechanism that enhances our region鈥檚 ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to complex hazards together.鈥�
A 杏吧性吧 team also attended the Cuban mission, headed by the Minister of 杏吧性吧 and Affairs and Information, the Honourable Wilfred Abrahams and included Permanent Secretary, Wendy Odle, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Captain Robert Harewood and Director of the Meteorology Department, Mr. Sabu Best. Officials from the UNDP, UNICEF and the Government of Norway also participated in the Mission.
CDEMA鈥檚 participation in the Caricom-Cuba Mission was made possible through funding support from the European Union and wishes to thank the host country for a well-organized programme aimed at identifying practical, cost effective and collaborative solutions to enhance Disaster Risk Management capabilities to help Caribbean States become more resilient.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Keith Goddard
Communication and Public Relations Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA)听听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听
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