MEDIA RELEASE

Prepared to the CORE- ODPM uses displays and demonstrations to help prepare citizens!

“There are real benefits to being prepared. Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety and losses that accompany disasters. Communities, families and individuals should know what to do in the event of a flood or any other hazard; where to go and how they should react before, during and after any major hazard impact.” These were the words of the Honourable Collin Partap as he gave special remarks at the ODPM’s Exposition – Prepared to the CORE. This exposition which took place on Saturday July 30 at the Centre Pointe Mall in Chaguanas featured interesting and dynamic booths, displays and demonstrations by eighteen (18) state agencies, non- governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and some members of the private sector and is part of the ODPM’s mission to provide citizens with information on the hazards to which Trinidad and Tobago is prone, shelters, vulnerability and general safety tips.

Some of the state agencies and organisations which participated included Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, Environmental Management Authority (EMA), NIHERST, Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC), Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, Community Development Fund, National Commission for Self Help Limited, PLIPDECO and the Community-based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP).  Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, Habitat for Humanity and the Federation for Canine Registration joined private sector companies such as Javathon Enterprises, ENMAN Group, Shoes Industrial Supplies and Duracell. This exposition, the first in a series of events, also provided each agency and organisation with an ample opportunity to clarify its roles and functions and how they can be of service to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago before, during and even after a hazard impact.

During the formal opening of the exposition, Dr Stephen Ramroop welcomed all guests, visitors and booth participants and underscored the importance of initiatives such as these which aimed at improving the level of preparedness of all citizens. Mr Kerry Ifill, Director of Rotary Club of San Fernando, expressed his organisation’s commitment to partnering with the ODPM in order to continue creating a culture of safety and resilience. Member of Parliament for Chaguanas West and Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Honourable Jack Warner was elated that the first CORE Expo, Prepared to the CORE, was being held in his constituency. He also emphasised that individual responsibility was an important aspect of disaster preparedness and management and that “we must not adopt a pass the buck appproach. Everyone, even the man on the street, must take responsibility and acknowledge his role in disaster preparedness and management.” He also believed that “disaster management has evolved and is no longer just about preparing to respond to an emergency, but being proactive and reducing the risk.”  In his special address, the Honourable Collin Partap, Minister in the Ministry of National Security affirmed that “the citizen of Trinidad and Tobago must be the framework upon which this country’s national emergency management system is based. In this regard, every citizen has the responsibility to protect themselves and their families.”

This Exposition is key aspect of the Communities Organised and Ready for Emergencies (CORE) initiative which was launched in April and will continue until December 2011.

ENDS

Issued by:

Public Information, Education and Community Outreach Unit

About CORE:

Launched in April 2011, CORE is a community-based flood mitigation and education project which is aligned with the ODPM’s mission to implement pro-active measures to mitigate the impact of all hazards that threaten the people of Trinidad and Tobago. This project is a partnership with the Ministry of Local Government, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the private sector and targets the highest flood risk communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago in order to deliver education programmes that will empower and prepare residents for the upcoming rainy & hurricane seasons. These community-based sessions incorporate a wide range of topics including interviews on risk and hazard impacts and distribution of information on measures to adopt before, during and after a range of hazard impact.