MEDIA RELEASE

THE ODPM STRENGTHENS ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), in its continuing efforts to improve the country’s disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts, hosted a partnership strengthening meeting with representatives of five (5) diplomatic missions on Wednesday 15^th June, 2022. The meeting, which was held at the ODPM’s Mausica Alternate National Emergency Operations Centre (ANEOC), was attended by delegates from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States of America.

In welcoming the representatives to the ANEOC, the CEO of the ODPM, Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart, noted “As a Small Island Developing State, we are particularly exposed and vulnerable to many hazards. Thankfully, either directly or indirectly, we have received support from your nations, and to us, your visit today, marks another critical point in the drive towards collaboration and partnership, in strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Trinidad and Tobago, inclusive of that of your citizens living, working and visiting here.”

Mr. Anwar Baksh, the ODPM’s Planning and Development Officer, presented a brief on Trinidad and Tobago’s disaster readiness and resilience initiatives, and the country’s alignment with regional and international frameworks. He reiterated that the ODPM continues to foster local, regional and international partnerships, and through the support and kind donations of the various diplomatic missions, the Office is better able to boost the nation’s disaster prevention and preparedness capabilities.

The diplomats expressed various interests in understanding how emergency alerts could be disseminated to their citizens and the public in general. They learnt that the ODPM is in the early stages of trials for the implementation of a National Public Alert System. Discussions also included emergency telecommunications systems, and particularly, the Port of Spain Disaster Management Unit’s evacuation measures.

The meeting ended with all bodies agreeing to continue the interaction and support to each other. The ODPM is committed to such engagements with the diplomatic corps and international bodies, as it recognises the opportunities they bring to complementing National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness initiatives, such as last month’s stepped-up activities, in preparation for the 2022 Wet and Hurricane Seasons.

PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS

Caption 1: The CEO of the ODPM, Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart presenting welcome remarks to the delegates of the various Diplomatic Missions and the ODPM staff members, at the ODPM’s Alternate NEOC, Mausica.

Caption 2: The ODPM’s Planning and Development Officer, Mr. Anwar Baksh, presenting a brief on Trinidad and Tobago’s disaster readiness and resilience initiatives, as well as its alignment with international and regional frameworks, to the delegates of the Diplomatic Missions and the ODPM staff members, at the ODPM’s Alternate NEOC, Mausica.

Caption 3: A cross section of delegates of the various Diplomatic Missions from Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain and the United States of America, and members of staff of the ODPM, following the Partnership Strengthening Meeting at the ODPM’s Alternate NEOC, Mausica.

To view the full version of the Media Release, please click here.

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Issued by:

Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit