MULTI-LEVEL REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP IN A MULTI-HAZARD ENVIRONMENT
Castries, St. Lucia, July 29, 2020: On July 28, 2020, CARILEC partnered with the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations (CANTO), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in the successful hosting of a virtual Multi-Hazard 2020 Simulation Exercise. The exercise was characterised by the presentation of three (3) unique scenarios, detailing situations in which multiple tropical cyclones have impacted the Caribbean Region. Not to mention, the impact of such natural disasters were compounded by the presence of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
CARILEC is pleased to report that simulation participants provided real-time, practical and feasible solutions to the challenges presented by the simulated disasters. Fifteen (15) Electric Utilities were represented at the simulation exercise and as such, CARILEC commends its Utilities and Member Organisations for their support of this initiative and valued participation. The participants comprised of health and safety officers, disaster coordinators, electrical engineers, Utility Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and telecommunications operators. These distinguished personnel are extremely knowledgeable and experienced in disaster restoration operations; therefore, the solutions and best practices generated from this simulation exercise are both realistic and credible.
Such regional collaboration among key agencies such as CDEMA, CANTO, CARPHA and CARILEC is critical, at a time where the region is susceptible to the adverse impacts of several disasters. It would be quite remiss to believe that tropical cyclones are the only impending disasters which regional governments ,organisations, communities, families and individuals need to prepare for. Climate change, global pandemics, diminishing international funding sources and vulnerable supply chains for essential resources such as oil, are just a few challenges which the region is currently faced with.
Moreover, the management of multi-hazards is further challenged by the necessary adherence to COVID-19 health protocols, in order to maintain the region’s effective minimisation of the spread of this disease. Against this backdrop, a fundamental area of strategic partnership between CARILEC and CARPHA is the updating of current protocols for the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP) deployment crews, in order to ensure full compliance with approved COVID-19 health practices.
CARILEC remains resolute in its commitment towards achieving increased regional collaboration amongst its strategic partners, with the ultimate objective of developing and effectively implementing Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) plans and relevant solutions to challenges and opportunities in the regional energy sector.
End
For further information, contact:
Karen C. Piper
Communications and Disaster Response Coordinator
Mobile Phone: +1 (758) 728 9212
Email: [email protected]
