From left: Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds and Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Dr. Leo Brewster, both Co-Chairs of the Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards; and Danielle Howell from the Department of Emergency Management.
Some of those in attendance listening attentively.
Tourism stakeholders were yesterday told that society as a whole has a critical role to play in improving Barbados’ resilience to disaster risks.
It came from Kerry Hinds, Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and Co-Chair of the Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards, who said this was so because of the interdependence and interrelatedness of businesses, markets and stakeholders in this country. Hinds made the comments as she addressed those attending a Multi-Hazard Symposium on Earthquakes, Coastal Hazards and Business Continuity Planning, yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, which was put on by the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport.
“Therefore, all organisations and businesses should review their business continuity plans and incorporate some practices to the fullest extent possible. Consideration must be given to both short-term measures and long-term recovery plans. There must also be a recognition that each of your business would possess unique characteristics and varied risk profiles, thus what we provide today is guidance,” she added.
Earlier, Hinds stressed the importance of not only focusing on understanding coastal hazards and their effects, but recognising the need to manage and plan for such hazards. With that in mind, the DEM Director said there must be an ongoing recognition of and reflection on all phases of managing disasters and emergencies, from preparedness to mitigation and prevention, as well as response and recovery.
“Disaster risk management has many facets, but planning, contingency planning to ensure the continuity and viability of our society, economy and our businesses, is of tantamount importance,” she stated.
Meanwhile, speaking to the work of the Technical Standing Committee on Coastal Hazards, which is one of 15 committees of the technical subgroupings of the Emergency Management Advisory Council, she said it is responsible for developing hazard assessment, early warning, preparedness, mitigation, public education and awareness activities specific to coastal hazards. Additionally, she said the committee is also charged with guiding the development of a national coastal evacuation plan, co-ordinating stakeholder involvement inclusive of the private sector and developing a national plan for the implementation of a wider regional programme as it relates to tsunamis and other coastal hazards.
“Ultimately within a disaster risk management context, a resilient nation is our goal. We encourage you to share in our vision as you work towards resilient homes, resilient families, resilient neighbourhoods, resilient businesses and resilient sectors,” she added. (JRT)