(August 19, 2011) During this week- August 16 -19th 2011, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has put in place several processes which will enhance NEMO鈥檚 ability to effectively deliver disaster management service in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The main results of the four-day collaboration are:
- An enhanced awareness of key national stakeholders of the comprehensive disaster management (CDM) vision for the region and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Finalized a strategic approach for the implementation of CDM activities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Initiated discussions with the educational institutions and key stakeholders in the physical planning and construction industry on a national approach to deliver training in safer building techniques to practitioners in the informal construction sector in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Operationalized NEMO ICT infrastructure for effective delivery of CDM activities in the country
- Oriented and trained NEMO staff and other relevant national stakeholders in the use of the improved ICT applications and infrastructure.
The support provided to NEMO by CDEMA included the upgrade of NEMO鈥檚 Documentation Center, ICT equipment to include several laptops, a Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite terminal- internet redundancy, hardware for the establishment of an office network and the upgrade of national emergency operation center.
The support provided through CDEMA is valued at about US$ 75,000.00. Of this support US$50,000.00 was provided in 2010 and further US$25,000.00 in 2011. CDEMA has been able to provide this support due the generous support provided by donor partners to include the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the European Union (EU), DFID-UK Department for International Development and the AusAID the Australian Agency for International Development. The CDEMA CU mission team consisted of the Programme Coordinator, Ms. Cisne (Pronounced Sis-nee) Pascal, and Mr. Seon (Pronounced See-on) Levius, ICT Specialist/Manager.