ACS REGIONAL COOPERATION MECHANISM FOR DISASTER PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS
 
 

I Introduction*

The Caribbean Basin region, because of its geographic characteristics and the varied processes of development of the countries which form it, is continuously downtrodden by disaster situations.

So far this century, more than 475 disasters have been recorded in the zone comprised of Central America and the insular Caribbean (CRED, CIFEG, 1997) , which constitutes one of the most important obstacles to the development processes of these countries. The average annual impact estimated by ECLAC, for this very region, is 1.5 billion US dollars (JOVEL, 1989), which does not generally include, neither the small scale disasters whose annual impact tends to be similar to that of major and average natural disasters, nor the effects on the economy of the country, not only in terms of the effect on the GDP, but also on public finances, external trade, employment, price rates etc.

This situation, which is shared in a complex and in many cases similar way by the different Caribbean States, requires the establishment of concerted actions, on the basis that it is not possible to think of a true process of sustainable development, if there is failure to consider the prevention and mitigation of disasters.

The following proposal is based on documents presented by the Secretariat of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), the Centre for the Coordination of Natural Disaster Prevention of Central America (CEPREDENAC) and the Pan-American Health Organization ( PAHO).

The ACS region possesses tremendous potential for developing into one of the most prosperous and united sub-regions in the hemisphere. It therefore has to develop mechanisms to cope effectively with the natural and man-made disasters which the region is confronted with every year.

The draft proposals and the proposed role and focus of the ACS outlined in this document should serve as a catalyst for action in the prevention, confrontation and cooperation between the ACS countries in the area of natural disasters.

 


II Suggested Concrete Proposals for the ACS Special Group on
Natural Disasters

The Working Group identifies as priority areas the following:

- Advocacy at Policy Level in the matter of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation

- Expertise (Scientific and Technical Research)

- Prevention and Mitigation

- Preparedness, Response and Warning

- Information / Training


2.1 Advocacy at Policy Level in the matter of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
 
-The ACS should seek political support for disaster management from the ACS Ministerial Council.
 
-Ensure that international missions are properly briefed on the activities and priorities of ACS Member States.
 
-Identify joint positions of ACS Member States in order to secure a stronger position while presenting before various fora resolutions affecting disaster vulnerability in the Caribbean Basin.
 

2.2 Expertise (Scientific and Technical Research)

 
-The ACS Secretariat will promote the establishment of an inventory of experts in order to facilitate post-impact evaluatory missions in coordination with related international agencies or teams that have already been set up, as well as disseminate corresponding reports.
 
-Identify opportunities for strengthening inter-regional cooperation, including academic institutions and research centres.
 
-Create an inventory of research, researchers, and other specialized human resources, research centres and projects in the area of prevention and mitigation and other aspects related to the field.
 
-Promote political support through the ACS Secretariat.
 


2.3 Prevention and Mitigation
 
The ACS will seek to :
 
-promote the insertion of topics relating to prevention and mitigation and other disaster management topics in the agendas of Ministerial and Heads of Government meetings of the Caribbean Basin, in order to further support national and regional initiatives aimed at reducing the vulnerability of populations, infrastructure and economic and social activities;
encourage countries to include mitigation topics in their requests for external assistance.
monitor the progress at the highest political level.
 
-The ACS should create a system for the Caribbean Basin of cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation education, based on curriculum development, shared academic resources, promoting the exchange of professors and the greater use of the Internet.
 
-The ACS should promote the development of action programmes for the insertion of disaster administration in the town and country planning policies. Likewise, it should promote this topic so that it would be given priority in negotiation agendas on international cooperation.
 
-Encourage the Member States to begin talks with insurance companies in order to promote prevention and mitigation mechanisms by means of incentives.
 

2.4 Preparedness, Response and Warning

 
- The ACS should promote, in coordination with international agencies, support for the permanent training of personnel in disaster administration and emergency telecommunications and for the development and improvement of early warning systems at regional and national levels.

 
- The ACS will be directly responsible for:
 

  •  promoting and finalizing mutual aid agreements exceeding the geographical scope of the established regional organizations such as CDERA and CEPREDENAC. (Agreements confined to member countries of CEPREDENAC or CDERA are better left to CARICOM or SICA mechanisms.);

    •  
  • The ACS will support inter-regional cooperation through the promotion of mutual aid agreements between the different interested parties, besides those presently established. Emphasis will be placed on the private sector, such as air and marine transportation providers who operate outside the geographical scope and mandate of the established regional organizations.

    •  
    - Mobilize political support for the implementation of disaster management training and early warning systems at regional/national levels.


    2.5 Information / Training
     
    - The ACS will offer support for the development of centres for disaster documentation at the regional and sub-regional levels, taking into account the existing capabilities.

    - The ACS will recognise the Regional Disaster Information Center (CRID) and other specialized organisations in the region as the focal point for the dissemination and distribution of information on disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, rehabilitation and reconstruction throughout the member states of the ACS via different available means.

    - The ACS Secretariat will elaborate, circulate and maintain an updated register of qualified persons, which would facilitate the integration of inter-disciplinary teams to lend support to the region in the event of disasters.

    - The ACS will establish mechanisms for the collection and distribution of materials and products on experiences in disaster administration.

    - The ACS will prepare a Joint Annual report to be presented at the ACS Ministerial Meeting in which the " Current Status of the Region in the Prevention of Natural Disasters" may be established and which presents in a succinct manner basic statistics, the projection of the impact on regional development, the achievement of goals in that field and future perspectives.

    - Identify the mechanisms for the reproduction of agency reports and country experiences in the official languages of the ACS.

    - Contact the authorities of the Caribbean Environmental Action Plan and other regional agencies, in order to encourage the exchange of experiences, data and human resources for the protection of the Great Caribbean and the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters.


    III Concluding Remarks

    On the basis of the foregoing it is appropriate to make the following concluding remarks:-

    1. This proposal shall be submitted to the Special Committee on the Protection and Conservation of the Environment and Caribbean Sea, which will subsequently present it to the Ministerial Council during its III Ordinary Meeting in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, for consideration and approval.

    2. Considering that the region of the Great Caribbean has been declared a sustainable tourism zone, not only taking note of its enormous potential for development, but also of its present vulnerability in the face of natural disasters, the great importance of the application of this present program of action in order to contribute towards the sustainable development of tourism in the region is recognized.
     
    3. The ACS, through the Special Group on Natural Disasters and with the support of the Secretariat, will act as a focal point for achieving and sustaining political commitment for the agenda of Disaster Management throughout the Caribbean Basin.