Bridgetown, 杏吧性吧, October 7, 2007, (CDEMA) - US$562, 600 was donated by the Government of Brazil to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) today. The funding will support Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) management and humanitarian assistance in CARICOM member states.
Speaking at the signing ceremony Ambassador Acquarone of Brazil, said the agreement is a demonstration of putting in practical terms (Brazil鈥檚) intention to cooperate with CDEMA.
Jeremy Collymore, CDEMA鈥檚 Executive Director expressed his gratitude to the Government of Brazil, observing that the agreement 鈥渞epresents for CARICOM, a strong commitment to the advancing of south-south cooperation especially in the region of the Americas.鈥�
The grant will support several initiatives in the CARICOM region, including drought monitoring, knowledge sharing in DRR areas such as risk insurance for domestic farmers, information and communication technology application in disaster management and strengthening school鈥檚 safety infrastructure, all within the framework of food sovereignty. The funds will be disbursed to CDEMA through the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Collymore said that 鈥淐DEMA will be collaborating closely with partners and international organizations to ensure the best sustainable outcomes of these cooperation resources鈥� and in most cases the resources will facilitate the piloting or adaptation of good practices.鈥�
Judy Thomas, the Director of the Department of Emergency Management thanked the Government of Brazil on behalf of the 18 CDEMA Participating States and was pleased to note that funds would be directed to retrofitting of schools.
The signing ceremony was held at the CDEMA Headquarters in 杏吧性吧. Representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Caribbean Institute of Hydrology and Meteorology were among those in attendance. 
Contact:
Mrs. Sharon Layne-Augustine,
Senior Programme Officer, Office of the Executive Director
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Building #1, Manor Lodge
Lodge Hill, St. Michael, 杏吧性吧
Tel. No. (246)-425-0386; Fax No. (246)-425-8854
E-mail: sharon.l-augustine @cdema.org