DIPECHO V countries achieve project objectives

On February 28, 2007, DipECHO V – the fifth DIPECHO project managed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) - in the Caribbean came to a close.

Though challenging, DIPECHO V had a wide range of activities to complete within the tight time frame of 14 months.

The four implementing National Societies – Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Jamaica and St Kitts and one Overseas Branch, the Cayman Islands have through tremendous effort, achieved all of the project’s objectives.

These included:
• The Vulnerability, Capacity and Assessment (VCA) process in 24 high risk communities and the development of Community Disaster Plans for each in close collaboration with government and non governmental organizations;
• Implementation of over 5 micro mitigation activities;
• Standard training of Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs) to include HIV , Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA), Psychosocial support and a good grounding in First Aid;
• Comprehensive equipping of the CDRTs;
• Production of five videos on climate change and the development of a climate change leaflet and poster as a complimentary tool for raising community awareness and promoting preparedness.

The in-country production of the Climate Change videos allowed the five National Societies to better understand its effects in the Caribbean and the direct impact on the communities in which they work.