The launch of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Regional Workshop - Tsunami and other Coastal Warning System Project
Venue: Hyatt Regency
Time: 9 a.m.
Date : October 28th 2008
- Mr. Jeffrey Collymore Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
- Colonel George Robinson Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
- CDEMA Technical Officers
- ODPM Technical Officers
- Representatives from the University of West Indies Seismic Research Centre
- Representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Other Stakeholder Agencies
- Specially Invited Guests
- Members of the Media
- Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning
I wish extend a warm welcome to the Executive Director and Technical Officers from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). I also extend best wishes to the CDEMA Team as they transition from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) to CDEMA and further advance the work that was previously done.
I am extremely pleased to participate in this launch of the public awareness and education component of the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning Systems Project.
As all of you are aware, our region lies in a very active seismic zone and is susceptible to disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Such is the nature of the tsunami risk to most Caribbean states where submarine earthquakes, the major source of tsunamis in the region, occur within a striking distance of 200 kilometres from the nearest coastline. It is in this vein, that we perceive this project which is being launched today, here in Trinidad and Tobago, to be of utmost importance and must be given high priority and urgent attention.
International Disaster Management Agencies have classified a disaster on the basis of its human consequences, rather than on the phenomenon that caused it. A Tsunami, for example, is a natural hazard of this nature and the adverse effects that it has on life and property is what labels it as a disaster. The central theme emanating from this statement therefore is that instituting appropriate and preventative disaster reduction policies and programmes, coupled with a practical Public Awareness and Education component can systematically minimize the disaster risk.
In this context, it is prudent to note that the need for clear, consistent and actionable information about potential and impending disaster situations is vital in protecting public safety and well-being, and in maintaining the stability of all democratic institutions.
It is widely believed that a positive correlation exists between the level of public awareness and disaster outcomes. As a consequence, it can be said that this Regional Workshop, which aims to further develop the public awareness and education component of the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Systems (TCHWS) is extremely vital to the process of mitigation and preparedness.
It is important to note however, that the difference between public education and awareness strategies and a public warning system. Public education and awareness is the process of making the public aware of its risks and preparing citizens for the onslaught of hazards. This effort is long term and requires varied strategies and methods. Consequently, public education and awareness must be viewed as key components to a jurisdiction’s emergency management programme.
The system of public warning constitutes the identification, detection and risk assessment of a hazard, the accurate identification of the vulnerability of a population at risk and finally the communication of information to the vulnerable population about the threat in sufficient time and clarity so that they take action to avert negative consequences.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recognizes that effective public education must be considered as a pertinent aspect of a comprehensive risk management system.
The Sumatran catastrophe of December 26, 2004 and the recent Tsunami in American Samoa have demonstrated the potentially destructive power of tsunamis and thus, have qualified the risk exposure that a region faces without a suitable risk reduction programme. The heightened political and public attention conferred on natural hazards since these events, have provided a unique opportunity to influence government policy and decision-makers internationally to continue investing in disaster risk management programmes. It is unrealistic to assume that we have the ability to predict a Tsunami. However, with diligent attention to public education and the continued development of early warning systems along with the civil preparedness, we can certainly hope to reduce the risks drastically.
The strategic plan of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Vision 2020, speaks to a nation where the citizens are resilient, united and disciplined. The Ministry of National Security, along with other Ministries and Government agencies, are of the firm belief that our citizens must be resilient. Resilience can be achieved through many ways but one way to build resilience in the face of natural hazards is by continually expanding and improving the public education and awareness strategies.
Public education must therefore be viewed as a pure good and must be designed to provide the necessary conditions of high performance and excellence. By having a region, where resilience is part of the consciousness of each citizen, we can ensure the safety and well being of all our region’s citizens, of our communities, our region and our world. Through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management and regional agencies such as CDEMA, I am confident that we are well on our way to building a society that is resilient in the face of natural hazards.
As the regional disaster management body, CDEMA continues to embrace the principles and practises of Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) which we deem as a very proactive and prudent approach to disaster risk management. CDEMA’s role as facilitator, driver, coordinator and motivating force for this comprehensive model must also be commended as it is brings to the fore, the key elements of mitigation and preparedness which would in turn reduce relief and response.
The Ministry of National Security has pledged to continue to work with the national community here in Trinidad and Tobago to ensure that the ongoing regional and international support mechanisms are locally embraced, with the aim of minimizing the potency of the factors which can lead to natural and man-made hazards.
It is for this reason; I sincerely commend CDEMA and thank all the stakeholders such as the University of West Indies Seismic Research Centre, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management who are involved with this project. I believe that this Tsunami Warning and Other Coastal Hazards Project will in the end empower the citizens of our region and provide them with the knowledge required to act if a hazard occurs.
I hope that this two (2) day session provides meaningful dialogue with a fruitful outcome.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you.