Turks and Caicos Islands, February 14th,2014 (DDME) - The Government of the Turks and Caicos has started work to develop the country’s national emergency plans in an effort to enhance the TCI’s capabilities toward preparedness and response to natural and man-made threats.
As part of the process, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has partnered with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to address the existing gaps in disaster risk management planning by engaging a team of consultants to guide the development of draft emergency plans for designated priority areas. The programme is being funded under CDEMA’s Comprehensive Disaster Management / Harmonised Implementation Programme (CDM/HIP) Country Directed Fund.
The development of these emergency plans is in keeping with the national focus on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in conjunction with TCI’s Country Work Programme. The initiative is one of several to fine-tune TCI’s national disaster plans as well as to formulate a strategy for transitioning to the development of sectorial disaster risk management plans and related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will hone preparedness and response interventions.
The DDME has identified the need for standardised procedures and guidelines for managing and coordinating response efforts. While TCIG has a comprehensive commitment to enhancing national capacity for disaster risk reduction, the areas listed below have been prioritised in this initial phase are:
- National Disaster Risk Management Plan (to be reviewed and updated)
- National Damage Assessment Plan
- Maritime / Cruise Ship Accident Plan
- Oil Spill Contingency Plan (to be reviewed and updated)
- Port Contingency Plan
- External Affairs Plan
The consultancies will also assist in the development of:
- Procedures for cooperation with stakeholders both government –based and as well as the private sector and in some instances with international organisations and governments of other countries during a threatened hazard alert or in the event or aftermath of a disaster and or emergency.
- Procedures clarifying the roles and responsibilities required to execute the emergency function prior to, during and after a hazard specific national crisis, emergency or disaster will form the core of the plan.
The consultants are Arturo Lopez Portillo Contreras, specialist in National Disaster and Damage Assessment Plans and Ms. Heather Stager, specialist in community-based vulnerability assessments; Dr. Balfour Spence whose specialty includes among other things the development of National Oil Spill and Port Contingency Plans; Mr. Jamell Robinson Consultant External Affairs Plan; Mr. Paul Saunders Consultant for Maritime /Cruise Ship Accident Plans.
Key stakeholders in TCI’s Disaster Management Organisation will also contribute to the development of more robust plans that aim to enhance capacities to manage impacts from the any of several hazards that threaten the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Please click here to view the consultants profile.
For further information please Contact:
Andrea Been
Email Address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone #: 649 946 2801 Extension 11904
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