Red Cross and DG ECHO to build disaster management capacity in the Caribbean

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) has received Euro 500,000 from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (DG ECHO) for its 2007 disaster preparedness and response programmes in the Caribbean .

Under the theme “Building on Capacity: An Integrated Disaster Preparedness for a Comprehensive Response in the Caribbean,” the DG ECHO funds will be spent for the International Federation's activities in support of 16 National Red Cross Societies and the British and Netherlands Overseas Red Cross Branches in the Caribbean.

The activities will be conducted by the Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) and is targeted towards building up the capacities and resources of the Red Cross entities in the region so that they can better prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters in support of the most needy and vulnerable.

In 2005-06, the International Federation also received Euro 500,000 for similar project titled “Strengthening Disaster Management Capacity in the Caribbean Region.”

Mr Thomas Doyle, PADRU Disaster Management (DM) Delegate in the Caribbean explained that this year's programme is a “follow on” from the previous project. “While this is a 12 month project, it is building on the previous DG ECHO funded project and will enhance the already increased capacity of the Red Cross National Societies in the Caribbean region.”

He added: “Our aim is to make the Red Cross entities in the Caribbean capable of dealing with and responding to disasters either on their own or with international assistance.”

Mr Doyle said all persons that will be or have been affected by disasters will benefit from greater assistance which will be available from their respective National Societies during and after this project. “We will also be supporting Belize , Guyana and Suriname as well as the British and Netherlands overseas territories who are subject to all kinds of disasters including hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding and landslides.”