Caribbean NS/OSB review 2007 hurricane season

The Caribbean Regional Representation Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) and the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) hosted a "Post Hurricane Operations Meeting" on Monday December 3, 2007 in Port-of-Spain Trinidad.

The meeting was held at the "official" end of the hurricane season which is November 30 each year.

The objective of the meeting was to conduct an overview of the 2007 Hurricane Season so that Caribbean Red Cross National Societies and Overseas Branches could share and discuss their experiences related to preparedness, response and recovery which will determine the areas that need to be addressed for the 2008 Hurricane Season.

Discussions focused on Disaster Management preparedness, response and recovery in emergencies.

This year at least three hurricanes affected countries in the Caribbean. The first was Dean which barrelled its way through the region causing mass destruction to the countries of St Lucia, Dominica, Jamaica and Belize.

Hurricane Felix immediately followed pounding Belize, Mexico and Nicaragua. In November, tropical storm Noel affected Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba with high winds, torrential rains and flooding.

PADRU responded to all the emergencies by deploying human resources as well as sending relief items such as blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and tarpaulins to all those that were affected.

The European Humanitarian Aid Departments (DG ECHO) in partnership with the Federation restocked all the relief items that were used and supported all emergency appeals.

The International Federation launched appeals to support all emergency operations to the tune of approximately Swiss Francs 4 million to support well over 80,000 persons affected by the hurricanes.

Thomas Doyle, PADRU Disaster Management (DM) Delegate for the Caribbean said the meeting allowed the Red Cross to examine "real" scenarios based on Hurricanes Felix, Dean and Noel.

Affected National Societies discussed, in sub working groups, their experiences and then shared them with all participants. Information on lessons learned in the three phases was identified and solutions built-in to National Societies' disaster preparedness and response plans.

The outputs from the meeting included:
1. National Societies sharing experiences centered on preparedness, response and recovery;
2. Identifying "gaps" in disaster preparedness plans; and,
3. Ensuring that lessons learned can be addressed before the 2008 Hurricane Season.

There were 23 participants representing 16 National Red Cross Societies.  Additionally members from PADRU and from the Caribbean Regional Representation Office facilitated the meeting.