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The Declaration of Brasilia recognizes a commitment of the Brazil Government to establish a fund for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to assist in the enhancement of actions to mitigate and respond to disasters.  The fund is being administered by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) under the initiative “Latin America and the Caribbean Against Hunger 2025.”

The CARICOM/Brazil/FAO Disaster Risk Reduction Grant is one of the initiatives being supported by the Cooperation Programme. The aim of this Grant is to improve the human resource capacity in the region with respect to disaster risk reduction by promoting and encouraging the involvement of tertiary level students from CARICOM states in the field of disaster risk reduction.
The grant will be for a maximum of US$1,500.00 per person and may be used to support student research projects, short-term training or exchanges.  
To be eligible for the Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a CARICOM national between the ages of 18 and 35 years.
• Be currently pursuing a diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate degree within or outside the Caribbean region in Earth Science, Natural Resource Management, Disaster/Emergency Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Contingency Planning or related disciplines to be completed by August 31, 2012.  If outside of the region, the subject area must be one that is not available in the region.

OR

• Have been accepted to participate in a short-term training course or exchange programme to be completed by August 31, 2012.
• Have a grade point average of 3.0 or its equivalent.
• Have a demonstrated financial need.
• Be willing to share knowledge acquired in a forum to be agreed.

Employees of the CDEMA Coordinating Unit and National Disaster Offices are not eligible to apply.

To apply for the grant, interested persons should:

1. Complete the accompanying application form;
2. Provide an official transcript or letter of acceptance;
3. Provide a current curriculum vitae;
4. Provide a statement of annual income; and
5. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation.

Completed applications, including all accompanying documentation, should be submitted to CDEMA by January 25, 2011, directed to the attention of Sharon Layne-Augustine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or mailed to:

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex
Lodge Hill, St. Michael