2. EMERGENCY / DISASTER MANAGEMENT A Rapid scan of “History, Trends and Concerns” Presentation for ‘Leaders’ Seminar Orientation Session Feb 7 th, 2003 FJMcDonald, CEO NEPA (National Environment and Planning Agency) Ministry of Land and Environment fmcdonald@nepa.gov.jm

3. The Caribbean Region

4. CREDIBLE THREATS: Natural and Man Induced Geophysical: Earthquakes, Landslides, Volcanic Events, etc Climatic: Hurricanes, Floods, Drought, Windstorm etc Biological: Human, Animal and Plant Diseases, Technological: Fires, Oil Spills and Transport Accidents, Deliberate or Accidental Releases of Radioactive / Toxic Material, and Biological Agents Other: Terrorism, Civil Disorder, Conflict, War, Refugees / Population Movements Complex: Any combination of the above

5. .. Hurricanes (June 1–Nov 30).. Northers / Severe Seas / very local floods esp NCoast (Mid Dec–March) Flash Floods Flash Floods (ass w large landslides) Wildfires1(Feb-April) >>>>>>> Earthquakes and tsunamis, (always open season) <<<<<<<<<<< Jamaica : NATURAL DISASTER CALENDAR Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Wildfires2(July-Aug)

6. Trends / Emerging Issues Security / Terrorism Climate Instability possibly related to GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE Wildfires and Megafires “Environmental” Emergencies Complex Emergencies Humanitarian / Refugee Events Linkages to Development Targets –Millenium Goals / Poverty –Global / Regional / National / Subnational / Sectoral Capacity Building

7. DISASTER ADAPTATIONS TAINO / CARIB Pre European: –Crops and Food Supply –Structures / Settlement Locations –Culture and Religon (eg God Furacan – Hurricane) –Local Coping / Response (Prediction / Relocation) COLONIAL Period –Transfers of ‘Home Country’ modes –Focus on Relief and Response –Diversification of Foods / Crops Bananas vs Sugar Deliberate introductions eg Breadfruit –Structural Adaptation CONSTRAINED BY STATE OF KNOWLEDGE

8. CARIBBEAN DISASTER TRIVIA Breadfruit, Mutiny of the Bounty, Bligh and Hurricanes Napoleon and Josephine Alexander Hamilton British on St Kitts Mt Pelee and Global Volcanic Research

9. Public Administration of Disasters Colonial Governors “Rule by Decree” using ‘Emergency’ Powers / Riot Act evolved in 1950’s – 1970’s to “Central Emergency Relief Ctee” Model based on modification of Governors ‘council’ Permanent Secretariat sometimes added –Eg “CERO” Barbados / NERO Trinidad Typically Located in -: –Cabinet Office / Electoral Office –Emerging Ministry seen to be related Internal Affairs / Social Security / Housing Generally ‘Reactive’ and Hurricane focused Not comprehensive or integrated Growing concerns in late 70’s at regions lack of capacity and underutilisation of ‘modern’ approaches based on ‘Science’

10. 1970’s = 1980’s Quakes (Antigua, Nicaragua, Guatemala) stimulated renewed Caribbean interest + systematic attn from PAHO/UN system & bilateral donor agencies in state of readiness. 1979 Volcanic Eruption St Vincent 1979 May – June St Lucia ‘Disaster Prep’ Conference 1979 June Floods in Jamaica 1979 Sept Hurricanes David / Fredrick STIMULATED NATIONAL SHIFT TO PROACTIVE / ANTICIPATORY MECHANISMS ESTAB OF NEW INITIATIVES [EG ODP (JAMAICA) / PCDPPP (REGION) TO BUILD CAPACITY WIDE INTEREST IN IMPROVING REGIONS PREPAREDNESS, PREVENTION, MITOGATION MEASURES WITHIN A MODERN DISASTER MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK Developed countries Disaster Management systems heavily Civil Defense focussed ODA measures also somewhat influenced also Relief Industry

11. RECENT DISASTER MNG IN CARIBBEAN PCDPPP [Executed by CARICOM/ PAHO/ UNDRO/ LRCS with support of USAID / CIDA / EU ET AL] built National, Sectoral and Regional Capacity Suceeded by CDERA and ongoing programmes in Health (PAHO) and other Sectors (eg CDMP) Linkages to AGENDA 21, Barbados SIDS Issues, Sustainable Development, Poverty Reduction, Environmental and Physical Planning Agendas, Linkages to CLIMATE CHANGE issues Emergence of Financial / Insurance Sectors –CDB Policy NEW LINKS TO MILLENIUM GOALS, Barbados POA and follow up