Kingston, Jamaica, December 08th, 2023 – The efforts of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to further advance the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in the region was a key agenda item for Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley during a recent high-level mission to Jamaica.
She was in Kingston to attend the CDM Blueprint Regional Workshop sponsored by “Building Resilience in the CARIFORUM States (BRICS) Project under the 11th European Development Fund Natural Disaster Facility funded by the European Union” and attend several meetings with senior public and private sector representatives between November 21st and 24th, 2023.
Among the engagements were visits to the Director-General of the Office of Disaster and Preparedness Emergency Management (ODPEM), Mr. Richard Thompson, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JDF), Stewart Beckford and Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman.
High-level meetings were also held with the World Bank’s Senior Country Officer, Ms. Karlene Francis and the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Country Representative to Jamaica, Dr. Jaidev Singh.
During the trip, Ms. Riley paid courtesy calls on Chargé d’affaires and Consul of the High Commission of Canada, Mr. David Millward, Ambassador of the European Union to Jamaica, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen and British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Ms. Judith Slater. During that visit, she discussed with Deputy British Attache, Squadron Leader Craig Pearson, opportunities for deepening collaboration between CDEMA and the UK Military and the role of the Defense Attache's Office in strengthening engagement between the two agencies.
Ms. Riley also met with Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Ms. Heidi Clarke where talks centred around the current partnership with CDEMA and opportunities for deeper engagement. Sandals Foundation supports the delivery of the Strategic Leadership Development Course for Senior Officers of National Disaster Organisations which is offered by CDEMA’s Regional Training Centre.
The course is offered through the UWI-Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business of the University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus and equips disaster managers with critical leadership and strategic management skills, through a blend of theory and practical applications.
Photo 1: Executive Director of CDEMA, Ms. Elizabeth Riley (centre) flanked by Director-General of ODPEM, Richard Thompson and his Deputy, Ms. Michelle Edwards on her left, while CDEMA’s Deputy Executive Director, Lt. Col Kester Craig stands beside her during a courtesy visit to ODPEM.
Photo 2: CDEMA’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley poses with Executive Director of the Sandals Foundation, Ms. Heidi Clarke (in yellow) and Ms. Karen Zacca, Director of Projects with the Sandals Foundation.
Photo 3: The British High Commission’s Deputy British Attache in Jamaica, Squadron Leader Craig Pearson explaining some of the opportunities for collaboration with CDEMA’s Executive Director, Ms. Elizabeth Riley.
Photo 4: From left, Deputy Executive Director of CDEMA, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, Commissioner of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JDF), Stewart Beckford, CDEMA’s Executive Director, Ms. Elizabeth Riley and Director-General of the Office of Disaster and Preparedness Emergency Management (ODPEM), Mr. Richard Thompson.
Photo 5: CDEMA’s Executive Director, Ms. Elizabeth Riley accepts a gift from Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss-Gorman during the visit.
For further information, please contact:
Keith Goddard
Communication and Public Relations Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) Suite #3, Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex, Lodge Hill, St. Michael Barbados. Email: