C.O.R.E. - Communities Organised and Ready for Emergencies

On April 30, 2011, the ODPM has embarked on a community-based mitigation and education project called C.O.R.E. - Communities Organised and Ready for Emergencies. Flood+ Smart is under the C.O.R.E. programme and focuses on flooding and related hazards in preparation for the upcoming rainy and hurricane seasons.

Building community resilience is crucial to building a resilient nation. C.O.R.E. will incorporate a wide range of topics including information on measures to adopt before, during and after hazard impacts. This initiative is in keeping with a key element of ODPM’s mission to implement pro-active measures to mitigate the impact of the hazards that threaten the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

C.O.R.E. is a partnership between the ODPM, Ministry of Local Government, other government ministries and agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and the private sector. Together, we target the highest risk communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago and deliver programmes that will empower and prepare residents.  Over the past months, C.O.R.E.  has visited Thick Village, Gasparillo, Carenage, San Juan, Trincity, Point Fortin, Mayaro, Woodbrook, Couva, Matura, Chase Village, Kelly Village, and other locations. 

Check the Calendar below to see when C.O.R.E. is coming to a community near you. Photographs are here. 

Safer Building Programme

The Regional Code of Practice for the Construction of Houses, was developed in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). It is published as a two part document comprising a Trainer’s Manual (Part 1) and a Student’s Manual (Part 2).

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) will provide up to USD 10,000.00 for delivering the safer building course. Funds may be utilized for any reasonable and necessary costs associated with delivering the course.

The ODPM is currently encouraging institutions in Trinidad and Tobago to run the Safer Building Course. Click here to download the Guidance Note for Training Institutions, written by CDEMA. Please contact us at the ODPM to discuss your institutions' involvement further.

Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) Fund

The Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) Fund invites Caribbean-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and community based organizations (CBOs), to submit proposals for projects designed to reduce disaster risk in vulnerable Caribbean communities.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply to the CCDRM Fund. They include, but are not limited to, youth groups, women’s groups, church organizations, service clubs, fisher associations, farmers groups, district disaster management organizations, environmental groups, and associations for the aged.

Proposed projects must reduce a disaster risk that is being experienced by a community. The beneficiary community must consider the reduction of the identified disaster risk to be a priority.  The reduction in disaster risk must be achieved by the close of the project and must be measurable and sustainable.

Grants will be made to successful applicants on a competitive basis. Priority will be given to projects in the CAN $25,000 to CAN $75,000 range. Projects may range in duration from a few months to a maximum of two years. 

Organisations wishing to submit applications for grant funding must use the Fund’s standard Application Form.

More information is available below.

• Sixth (6th) call for project proposals. Community Disaster Risk Reduction Projects
• Guide for Project Submissions
• CCDRM Project Application Form
• CAT 5: Caribbean CDM News & Views. Volume 1, Issue 1. July -Sept 2010