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Special Security Concerns of Caribbean SIDS - Natural and Man-Made Disasters

This presentation discusses the unique security challenges faced by the small island states of the Caribbean due to natural and man-made disasters. Topics include the role of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), non-traditional security issues, the CARICOM Regional Crime and Security Strategy, actions taken, and the way forward.

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Special Security Concerns of Caribbean SIDS - Natural and Man-Made Disasters

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  1. Special Security Concerns of the Small Island States of the Caribbean – Natural and Man Made Disasters Elizabeth Riley Deputy Executive Director Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency Via videoconference April 22, 2013

  2. Presentation Overview • CDEMA • Non-Traditional Security issues in Caribbean SIDS • CARICOM Regional Crime and Security Strategy • Actions Taken • Way Forward

  3. What is CDEMA? • Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA - formally CDERA) is the regional inter-governmental Agency responsible for disaster management in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) • CDERA established in 1991 by an Agreement of Heads of Government of CARICOM • September 1, 2009 – official date of transition from CDERA to CDEMA • 18 Participating States – Haiti and Suriname joined September 1, 2009

  4. CDEMA Participating States

  5. Special Security Considerations of Caribbean SIDS - Definitions • Environmental Security – Those environmental problems or challenges which may create or add instability in a geopolitical region

  6. Caribbean Context • Environmental security non-traditional but not new in the Caribbean • A component of the larger regional security challenge – lessons to be learnt • Vulnerability of small states of the Caribbean • Variations in magnitude and timeframe

  7. Security areas addressed • Instability caused by • Natural systems • Man made interventions • Accidental • Intentional

  8. Instability potentially caused by natural systems • Natural Hazards • Caribbean region is very prone to natural (and man-made) hazards • Implications of Climate variability & change • Amplification of hydro meteorological hazards –intensity & extremes • Amplification of vulnerability – economic, social and environmental • Uncertainty …

  9. Natural Hazards of Concern in the Caribbean Level

  10. Instability – potentially through Man-made interventions • Accidental • Oil spills • Hazard materials eg. Nuclear transshipments

  11. Instability – Potentially through Man-made interventions • Intentional • Acts of Terror • Biological weapons • Chemical agents • Use of explosive devices

  12. 2011-2012 EVENTS IN CDEMA PS • Drought • Aircraft crashes • Landslides • Volcanic Eruption • Tropical Storms and Hurricanes • Earthquake • Fires • Tsunami (scare)

  13. Selected Hazard Impacts in the Caribbean Various sources: Collated by CDEMA

  14. Hazard Impacts – Ivan 2004

  15. CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy • Adopted at the 24th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, Haiti, February 2013 • Goal – “To significantly improve citizen security by creating a safe, just and free Community and improving the economic viability of the Region”

  16. CARICOM Crime and Security Strategy • Natural Disasters Categorized as Tier 2 • Substantial Threats: These are both likely and high-impact • Strategic Goal 13: Improve Resilience to Natural and Man-Made Disasters • Strategic Goal 14: Promote Resilient Critical Infrastructure Management and Safety at Major Events

  17. Special Security Considerations of Caribbean SIDS - Characteristics • Environmental security – transnational in character • Several actors operating at national, regional and international levels • Roles and functions to be managed in a comprehensive manner (Fergusson 2001)

  18. Requirements to address these challenges … • Multi agency approach • Incorporation of non-traditional actors • Additional capacity • Complex information sharing and communication landscape

  19. Implications for consequence management • Issues examined in relation to disaster management • Threat assessment • Alert monitoring • Strategic Approaches • Harmonizing existing structures • Application of technology to support decision making • Management and organizational structures • Link to the CDM

  20. CDM in Context Global and Regional Agendas: • Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 • CARICOM Regional Programming Framework 2005 – 2015 • Caribbean Single Market and Economy • St. George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States)

  21. Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) – A space for engagement

  22. CDM Governance Structure Council CDEMA Executive Director TAC

  23. CDM Strategy Summary Goal Regional Sustainable Development enhanced through Comprehensive Disaster Management Purpose To strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for the mitigation, management and coordinated response to natural and anthropological hazards, and the effects of climate change

  24. CDM Strategy and Results Framework

  25. CDEMA Actions • Country Focused Programming • Deeper understanding of national context • Priority needs identification driving support • Creating an Enabling Environment for CDM Implementation • CDM Legislation, Policy, Strategy • Model Tools and Products

  26. CDEMA Actions • Operational Readiness • Regional Response Mechanism – Plan Development, review and exercising • Role of Sub-Regional Focal Points • Strategic Alliances and Partnerships • MOU’s with CARICOM IMPACS and Regional Security System • Capture value added of competitive niches • Governance • Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

  27. Areas for consideration • Overarching Context of Resilience is key • Governance Arrangements to effect this • Consolidation and strengthening of existing Mechanisms • Engagement of non-traditional development actors – South-South Cooperation • Inter-regional Partnerships (CEPREDENAC; CAPADRE; MERCOSUR) • Hemispheric Humanitarian Initiatives • Sharing of lessons

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