Resilience is the ability of a system, community or society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommodate to, and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions (UNISDR, 2009). Building disaster resilience is pivotal towards economic, social, and environmental stability in the Caribbean, as the region is often referred to as being located in the second most disaster prone area in the world.
The increasing intensity and frequency with which disasters are occurring worldwide and in particular the toll they take on Caribbean Economies demonstrate the critical need to enhance disaster risk management within the Caribbean Region. The Caribbean has a history of economic and social dislocation resulting from the impacts of a diversity of hazards including tropical cyclones, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods. The Disaster Database (EMDAT) indicates that 238 disasters have occurred in the Caribbean as a result of tropical cyclonic events between 1950 and 2014 (Building a Pathway for Disaster Resilience in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), 2018).
While building resilience is critical to hazard mitigation and effective disaster management, harnessing increased sustainability is equally crucial to ensure that risk management efforts maintain longevity. Sustainable disaster risk management initiatives such as emergency response capacity development, environmental protection, social protection for the marginal and most vulnerable are key components of comprehensive disaster management. The Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), recognizing the importance of holistic disaster management for the region, spearheaded the adoption of a strategic Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy and Results Framework. The regional goal of the CDM Strategy and Results Framework is to achieve “a safer, more resilient and sustainable region”.
It is against this backdrop that CARILEC presents its theme for this year’s Disaster Management Roundtable to facilitate stimulating, fulfilling and results-oriented discussion, knowledge and expertise sharing discussions among regional disaster coordinators on building resiliency and sustainability in disaster management. Given the multi-hazards which the region has faced over the past decade, this roundtable discussion is indeed a Caribbean imperative.
This event is only for specially invited guests,, for further information contact our Marketing and Member Services Department at [email protected]. This round table is targeted towards disaster coordinators, occupational health and safety managers and officers, and electric utility leaders, and regional and international disaster agencies.