The greatest achievement of this Early Warning Systems (EWS) intervention thus far has been the adaptation of the Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) Checklist previously developed and revised through the efforts of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The adaptation process should also be celebrated as inter-governmental, non-governmental and vulnerable group interests have been engaged. Improvements to the tool are reflected in five areas:

Bridgetown, Barbados, March 29th, 2018 (CDEMA) - In an effort to strengthen the resiliency of schools and by extension the education sector in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is launching the Model Safe Schools Programme (MSSP) and National Safe Schools Programme Committees in six of the CDEMA’s Participating States.

Message: Kick ‘em Jenny Submarine Volcano Alert Level raised from Yellow to Orange

1. THE EVENT:

During the period 11th-12th March, The UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) recorded a substantial increase in earthquake activity associated with the Kick-‘em-Jenny (KeJ) submarine volcano, which is located 8km north of Grenada (12.18o N, 61.38 oW). The volcano is about 1300 m high and 300 m wide at its summit, and is currently estimated to be about 200 m below the surface of the sea. The most recent eruption of KeJ occurred in April 2017 (UWI-SRC, 2018). At 2:00 p.m. 12th March, 2018, the Grenada National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA), with the scientific support of the SRC, raised the level of alert at the volcano from Yellow to ORANGE.

Bridgetown, Barbados, March 13th, 2018 (CDB) – The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has developed, and will implement new procurement and contract management procedures to facilitate a more streamlined and efficient use of their resource pool, including disaster management funds.

Belize City, Belize, February 23rd, 2018 (CRFM) - We know from the devastation wrought in the Caribbean last September by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, just how important it is for the region to step up its game in tackling climate change and the risks posed by natural disasters. The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) has recently inked an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) that will put the region on better footing to address the impacts of disasters on fishing communities.