The Eighteenth Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) will be convened in Antigua and Barbuda on May 22-23.

High on the Board Meeting’s agenda is the consideration of a programme for the implementation of the recommendations of a recently-completed CDERA Organisational Audit. This addresses ways for the agency to build on its strengths. The programme is considered critical for the institutional strengthening of the CDERA Coordinating Unit to better enable it to provide the intense coordination and leadership demanded to implement the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy across the Caribbean, one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world.

In an effort to deepen the stakeholder and Participating States exchange, CDM Partners have been invited to a special session at this year’s Board Meeting to share and discuss their organizations’ disaster risk reduction work in the region. CDERA Board will also consider the progress report on the Enhanced CDM Strategy and Framework at the country and regional levels.

The matters to be considered at this Board Meeting are indicative of the broadening focus on all hazards and potential effects of impacts.

The status of the establishment of the tsunami early warning system for the Caribbean Region, earthquake readiness in the region, post disaster assessment methodologies, disaster risk management strategies for the tourism sector and the post disaster options available through Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) are among the items for technical discussions.

The Board will also address the issue of professionalism in disaster management in the region.

The Opening of the CDERA Board Meeting will be held on Wednesday May 21, at the Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua. Prime Minister the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer will deliver the feature address. (Ends)

Note:

The CDERA Board of Directors serves as the technical advisory body and makes recommendations to the CDERA Council on the Agency's Work Programme, Administrative Budget, and any other major policy decisions.

For further information please contact:

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
Building #1, Manor Lodge
Lodge Hill, St. Michael, BARBADOS
Tel: (246)-425-0386
Fax: (246)-425-8854
Website: www.cdera.org
E-mail:cdera@caribsurf.org

National Office of Disaster Services (NODS)
American Road
St Johns, ANTIGUA
Tel: (268) 464-8456
Fax: (268) 462-4742
E-mail:nods@antigua.gov.ag