 WHAT IS MITIGATION?  DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE.  ORGANISATIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT AT THE REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVEL IN THE CARIBBEAN.  ROLE OF THESE ORGANISATIONS.  HOW GOVERNMENTS HAVE MANAGED DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN.

WHAT IS MITIGATION??? Mitigation is the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people and property. Fewer people and communities would be affected by natural disasters with the use of this process. Because of the varying degree of each natural disaster, there are different mitigation strategies for each. Mitigation is taking action now before the next disaster to reduce human and financial consequences later. Effective mitigation requires that we all understand local risks, address the hard choices, and invest in long-term community well- being. Without mitigation actions, we put a risk to our safety, financial security, and self-reliance.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE. Disaster Impact Response Effectiveness depends on training and experience of emergency response teams. Recovery Action to assist communities/nation to return to pre-disaster level of functioning. Redevelopment Action to redistribute economic losses (there should be a long-term link between disaster- related activities and national activities. Prevention Action to mitigate the severity of impact. Mitigation Action to prevent property damage and minimize economic impacts. Preparedness Action to increase capacity of a community for prompt and efficient response.

CDERA Role: to strengthen disaster preparedness for better response. to make an immediate and coordinate response to any disastrous event affecting any participating state once the state requested assistance.

ODPM Role: for coordination of resources before and after a disaster to reduce deaths and property damage. to provide emergency guides on what to do in each type of disaster.

CDEMA Role: mobilizing and coordinating disaster relief. mitigating as far as possible the immediate consequences of disasters in participating states. providing immediate and coordinated response to any affected Participating State. the adoption of disaster loss reduction and mitigation policies and practices at the national and regional level.

TEMA Role: Benefit from a comprehensive disaster management approach, focused on prevention, preparation and mitigation against disasters and recovery from disaster events.

NEMA Role: Recovery of disaster-hit areas, conduct of damage surveys, analysis of causes, and declaration of special disaster zones. Establishment of national safety management plans, and operation of the National Safety Management Committee.

CDM Role: The management of all hazards through all phases of the disaster management cycle -prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and redevelopment.

CERT Role: To educate people in preparedness for natural or man made disasters that can affect a community.

HOW GOVERNMENTS HAVE MANAGED DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN. The case study of the landslide in Puerto Rico was chosen to show how the government managed disaster management in this country. Kezron will now take over this section.