Small Island Developing States – SIDS - Perspectives: On Hazards, Disasters, Risk, & Resilience?

1. Small Island Developing States – SIDS - Perspectives: On Hazards, Disasters, Risk, & Resilience? .

2. Natural hazards in the CaribbeanFrom: Munich Re, 2002.

5. Regional Tectonic Map

6. NATURAL DISASTER “CALENDAR” Hurricane ‘Season’ ………(?June 1–Nov 30?) Northers High Seas /local floods (Mid Dec–March) Floods Floods(+lslides) Wildfires 1 (Feb-April) Wildfires 2 (June–Aug) Drought (can last years .. Associated with el Nino?) Earthquakes and Tsunamis, Rare Events (no season) Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

7. Caribbean Vulnerable to many risks and hazards (not confined to Hurricanes) Geophysical: Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Volcanic Events, etc Climatic: Hurricanes, Floods, Drought, Windstorm, Northers etc Biological: Human, Animal and Plant Diseases Technological: Fires, Air / Marine Transport Accidents, Releases of Toxics and Biological Agencies Other: Civil Disorder, Terrorism, Conflict, War, Displaced persons SLOW ONSET: Drought, Climate Change

8. Trends / Emerging Issues • Climate Instability possibly related to GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE • “Environmental” Emergencies • Marine Accidents / Spills ; Atmospheric Pollution; • Wildfires • Consequence Management • Effects of ‘Offshore’ / Transboundary events • 9/11 ; Airport Closures; Trade / Energy “Shocks” • Business CONTINUITY Planning / Processes • Complex Emergencies / Humanitarian / Human Displacement / Refugee Events (Haiti / Cuba etc) • BioSafety ; Human DISEASE SARS / Avian Flu • Linkages to Development Targets better understood • SUSTAINABILITY Links • National Goals & Priority Setting • Global / Regional / National / Subnational / Sectoral Capacity Building

9. Coping Processes must … • Cover credible events, scenarios and futures, their mitigation and their potential consequence(s) • Large, medium and small scale • Natural / Man induced / High / Low Probability • Effects on Human, Natural, Social and Economic Capital Assets and systems • Adequately deal with all facets of RISK • Cover all phases including return to ‘normalcy’ • Be part of MAINSTREAM / CORE Functions of all Societal Stakeholders ie The State + Private + Civil Society in genuine PARTNERSHIPS

10. Ensure that Command, Control, and Communication functions are carried out to secure • people, property, EMERGENCY PHASE • natural resources, physical assets, livelihoods, revenue streams and sectors PRE and POST EMERGENCY • Be based on PROACTIVE systematic approaches NOT ONLY REACTIVE response • Cover Mainstreaming MITIGATION / PREVENTION

11. SPECIAL CONCERNS • Major investments eg Hotel Plant / Energy / Utilities / Health Facilities / Infrastructure preferentially located in HIGHEST HAZARD ZONE • on Coast (Coastal Inundation fr Hurricanes, Tsunamis) • On soils prone to LIQUEFACTION (Reclaimed Lands) and • Landsliding • Many structures (eg Hotels) are dangerously close to the shoreline and susceptible to WAVE Damage / COASTAL INUNDATION from both Storm Surge + Tsunami! • The Removal / Damage to Natural Protective Systems eg Reefs, Wetlands has been a feature of Caribbean Development

13. The Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) included Priority Areas Related to Risks Oceans and Coasts • Climate change and sea level rise • Natural and environmental disasters • Coastal and marine resource

14. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Requirements for SIDS under the 1994 BPoA • Ensure early ratification of or accession on the UNFCCC, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and other related legal instruments. • Create and/or strengthen projects to monitor and improve predictive capacity for climate change, climate variability and sea level rise and assess the impacts of CC on marine resources

15. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Projects Implemented since 1994: • National Enabling Activities (NEAs) • Caribbean Planning for Adaptation to Climate Change (CPACC) 1998-2001 • Adaptation to Climate Change in the Caribbean (ACCC) Project 2001-2004 • Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Project 2001 – 200?

16. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Implementation of the BPoA Climate Change and Sea Level Rise components by Caribbean SIDS: • 100% of Caribbean SIDS have ratified the UNFCCC • 100% have submitted their first National Communication to the Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC • 88% of SIDS have produced a National Assessment Report • 50% of SIDS have a climate change and sea level rise adaptation and mitigation plan • 88% of SIDS have established a national disaster preparedness plan or office • Increased awareness of the potential impacts of climate change • Establishment of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC=5Cs) in Belize in 2002 + MACC in 2004 • Is this enough??

17. Identified Challenges and Issues Inadequate financial and technical capacity to implement many of the requirements under the BPoA Inadequate data on the potential impacts of climate change on the Caribbean Identified Priorities Improvements of renewable energy technologies (especially reduced cost) Assistance from the international community in establishing data points and in installing instruments to monitor, survey and collect data on climate change and sea level rise. Climate Change and Sea Level Rise

18. Natural and Environmental Disasters Requirements for SIDS under the BPoA: • Establish and/or strengthen disaster management institutions and policies • Strengthen the capacity of local broadcasting to assist remote communities • Establish a national disaster emergency fund • Integrate natural and environmental disaster policies into national development planning processes • Establish and/or strengthen, where appropriate regional institutions to complement and support national efforts in disaster mitigation • Establish and/or strengthen mechanisms for sharing experiences, information and resources among SIDS

19. Natural and Environmental Disasters Regional initiatives on natural and environmental disasters adopted since 1994 include: • OECS Emergency Recovery and Disaster Management Project – reduce physical vulnerability and increase capacity to respond to natural disasters • Caribbean Hazard Mitigation Capacity Building Programme (CHAMP) – enhance regional capacity to reduce vulnerability to the effects of natural hazards • Caribbean Disaster Management Project – mitigate damages in CDERA member states • Caribbean Risk Management Initiative – build capacity to address the growing natural hazard and environmental risk • Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) – facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for climate change adaptation

20. Natural and Environmental Disasters Implementation of the BPoA natural and environmental disaster components by Caribbean SIDS: • Development of a Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy and Framework by CDERA in 2001 • All countries have established disaster management agencies • Countries have developed and implemented national projects and processes such as hurricane preparedness and the promotion of safer building practices • Increased coordination to disaster preparedness, management and recovery through the CDERA

21. Identified Challenges and Issues Legislation and regulations are still inadequate Inadequate finances to develop disaster management programmes Potential increase for frequency and severity of tropical storms and hurricanes Identified Priorities Develop and adopt adaptation and mitigation strategies for natural and environmental disasters Develop and land use and zoning plans Natural and Environmental Disasters

22. Coastal and Marine Resources Requirements for SIDS under the BPoA: • Establish and/or strengthen, where appropriate, institutional, administrative and legislative arrangements for developing and implementing integrated coastal zone plans and strategies. • Design comprehensive monitoring programmes for coastal and marine resources • Develop and/or strengthen national capabilities for the sustainable harvesting and processing of fishery resources • Ratify and/or adhere to regional and international conventions concerning the protection of coastal and marine resources • Develop and/or strengthen the capacity of regional organisations to undertake activities in coastal and marine areas • Develop programmes to enhance negotiating skills for the management and exploitation of coastal and marine resources, including fisheries agreements • Develop and/or strengthen regional capabilities for the effective surveillance and monitoring of activities in the EEZ of SIDS • Develop a methodology for ICZM appropriate to SIDS, particularly very small, low elevation and coral islands

23. Coastal and Marine Resources Implementation of the BPoA coastal and marine resources requirements for Caribbean SIDS include: • Ratification of major regional and international marine related conventions. Most SIDS are party to UNCLOS; Cartagena Convention; and the CBD. • Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada are party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety • Many States have one or more of the following NBSAP’s, Fisheries Management Plans, and Integrated Coastal and Marine Management Strategies • 81% of the Caribbean SIDS had some relevant legislation addressing ocean and coastal issues • 63% have developed mechanisms for ocean management coordination through MPA’s • 50% have legislated EIA Acts

24. Coastal and Marine Resources Relevant coastal and marine resources related initiatives and projects: • The Caribbean Sea Ecosystem Assessment (CARESA) – assess the state of the Caribbean Sea ecosystem • Oceans Governance – SIDS of the Caribbean, Indian and Pacific Ocean are seeking to cooperate and share experiences in the management of their ocean spaces • The Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and Adjacent region (IOCARIBE) • White Water to Blue Water Initiative • CARICOM Regional Fisheries Mechanism • Establishment of a Caribbean Fisheries Unit • Meso-American Barrier Reef Systems Project and the International Coral Reef Action Network

25. Coastal and Marine Resources Relevant coastal and marine resources related initiatives and projects cont’d: • Integrated Watershed and Coastal Area Management (IWCAM) GEF Funded Project in Caribbean SIDS - seeks to provide a framework for countries to better address environmental management challenges • Sustainable Management of the Shared Marine Resources of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) and Adjacent Regions GEF funded project – sustainable management of the shared living marine resource of the Caribbean

26. Identified Challenges and Issues Lack of financial support to meet many of the commitments under the BPoA Low level of coordination among the various agencies with responsibility for coastal and marine management Identified Priorities Delimitation of EEZ’s and depositing charts with UNDOALOS Clearly articulated, national policies on coastal and marine issues Coastal zone management processes, policies and practices that explicitly address improving livelihoods of coastal communities Support ratification and effective implementation of the LBSMP Protocol of the Cartagena Convention Coastal and Marine Resources

27. Mauritius Strategy • Climate Change and sea-level rise • Recommends that parties that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol do so as soon as feasibly possible. • Fully implement the UNFCCC and further promote international cooperation on climate change. • Promote increased energy efficiency and development and use of renewable energy • Work to facilitate and promote the development, transfer and dissemination to SIDS of appropriate technologies

28. Mauritius Strategy • Natural and Environmental Disasters • Strengthen the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and related SIDS regional mechanisms as facilities to improve national disaster mitigation, preparedness and early-warning capacity • Augment the capacity of small island developing States to predict and respond to emergency situations

29. Conclusions • Caribbean SIDS are committed to the provisions in the BPoA • Implementation of the BPoA in the Caribbean Region has been slow due to number of constraints including: • Lack of financial and technical resources • Sectoral approach to management and low level of coordination amongst government agencies • Inappropriate and outdated legislative frameworks

30. Recommendations for Improved Implementation of the BPoA on Oceans and Coasts Related Issues • Ensure a high level of political endorsement and ministerial commitment to programmes • Improved inter-agency coordination and collaboration • Increased south-to-south collaboration amongst SIDS with regards to lessons learnt • Development and management programmes should be long-term, designed, implemented and evaluated to develop and maintain coherence and continuity • Establishment of regional funding mechanisms • Establish linkages amongst existing projects such as the GEF Caribbean International Waters Project on Integrating Management of Watersheds and Coastal Areas in Small Island Developing States

31. Mauritius Strategy Key oceans and coasts areas identified as priorities in the Mauritius Strategy, outcome of the international meeting to review the implementation of the BPoA for SIDS include: • Management of Waste – marine debris, ballast water and ship wrecks threaten the integrity of marine and coastal habitats • Work towards the control of transboundary movement of waste through the region • Implement the new IMO Convention on Ballast Water • Works towards the cessation of the transport of radioactive materials through SIDS

32. Mauritius Strategy • Climate Change and sea-level rise • Recommends that parties that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol do so as soon as feasibly possible. • Fully implement the UNFCCC and further promote international cooperation on climate change. • Promote increased energy efficiency and development and use of renewable energy • Work to facilitate and promote the development, transfer and dissemination to SIDS of appropriate technologies

33. Mauritius Strategy • Natural and Environmental Disasters • Strengthen the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and related SIDS regional mechanisms as facilities to improve national disaster mitigation, preparedness and early-warning capacity • Augment the capacity of small island developing States to predict and respond to emergency situations

34. Mauritius Strategy • Coastal and Marine Resources • Complete the delimitation of their maritime boundaries • Submit any claims to the Continental Shelf Commission by 13 May 2009 • Further the work on the assessment of seabed living and non-living resources within their national jurisdiction • Establish effective monitoring, reporting and enforcement and control of fishing vessels to further implement international plans of action to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing • Strengthen or develop, national and regional sustainable and responsible fisheries management mechanisms consisted with the FAO Code of Conduct • If they have not done so consider becoming parties to UNFA and the Compliance Agreement • Adopt integrated policies and sound management approaches, such as marine protected areas • Fully implement the GPA

35. Conclusions • Caribbean SIDS are committed to the provisions in the BPoA • Implementation of the BPoA in the Caribbean Region has been slow due to number of constraints including: • Lack of financial and technical resources • Sectoral approach to management and low level of coordination amongst government agencies • Inappropriate and outdated legislative frameworks

36. Recommendations for Improved Implementation of the BPoA on Oceans and Coasts Related Issues • Ensure a high level of political endorsement and ministerial commitment to programmes • Improved inter-agency coordination and collaboration • Increased south-to-south collaboration amongst SIDS with regards to lessons learnt • Development and management programmes should be long-term, designed, implemented and evaluated to develop and maintain coherence and continuity • Establishment of regional funding mechanisms • Establish linkages amongst existing projects such as the GEF Caribbean International Waters Project on Integrating Management of Watersheds and Coastal Areas in Small Island Developing States

38. WW2BW/IWCAM:Integrated Watershed and Coastal Area Management – Ecosystem Based Management Initiatives BioDiversity + Habitat Conservation Programs Watershed / Water Supply Management Urban Development Forestry Activities Industrial Development Harbor Management AgriculturalDevelopment Coastal: Infrastructure /Tourism Development Fisheries / Aquaculture Programs + MPAs Courtesy: UNEP-GPA

39. Concerns Cont., • ‘New’ Sectors (Financial/Tourism) often not integrated into National Response / Recovery systems • Lessons from recent disasters (eg IVAN in Cayman / Tsunami / recent Quakes) learnt slowly or not at all • Business continuity planning not institutionalised • REACTIVE rather than PROACTIVE • SCENARIOS not consistent (within / across the society and critical entities)

40. National/Societal Programmes & Projects to Improve Systems Structures, Mechanisms & Procedures Educate, Increase Capacity to access, create, use skills, & KNOWLEDGE Organization Complexity Enabling Strategies Supportive Policy, Legal & Institutional Frameworks Individual/Local Time “Capacity Development”

41. Components of Risk (Davis) Risk of Disaster Human Vulnerability Natural Hazards Exposure Resistance Resilience Magnitude Duration Frequency Location relative to Hazard Environmental Surroundings Livelihood Health Adjustments Risk Reduction Actions Preparation After Mark Pelling 2003 ‘The Vulnerability of Cities’ Page 48

42. The Safety Chain

43. Effective coping systems • RiskSensitisation / Early Warning / Vulnerability Awareness / Capacity Building systems involves chains of actors / processes • Narrow “technical” conceptions of such systems leave weak links in the chain – where failures occur (eg Warning System failures in Haiti/Grenada?2004, S AsiaTsunami 2004, TONGA 2006) • “Mainstreamed” = ‘infused’ into education and culture as well as the business and livelihood related societal value systems. Knowledge and capacity for timely action (pre, during, post) threat at appropriate levels ‘Technical’ awareness =, zoning, safer built env; & monitoring + Alert / Warn’g Services Shared Societal Knowledge of the risks faced by Communities = Risk ‘Culture’ Wide Formal and Informal Diffusion/ Dissemination of Useable risk info products

45. Coastal Inundation

46. NEEDS • Improved Business Continuity Planning • WORST CASE SCENARIOS • High Impact Rapid Onset • Evacuation vs ‘Hardening’ • PLAN COMPREHESIVELY CONSIDER WORKERS, RESIDENTS • Integrated with NATIONAL / REGIONAL • EFFICENT SHARING OF LESSONS LEARNT • TSUNAMI / IVAN • CAYMAN “CARS’ to CARIBBEAN • Details on Vital Records / Flooding / • Communication Issues • RISK REDUCTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ALL SECTORS INCLUDING TOURISM

47. UWI ISD / DRR Initiative

48. UWI DRR Initiative : Responds to - • Exposure of our WCR to a range of hazards; • Urgent need to further develop coping capacities and mainstream risk reduction strategies • Shift from Reactive to Proactive Measures • Improve the low societal/national ‘Resilience’ • Implications for Sustainable Development; and • the recommendations of key regional and global For a, Conferences and Seminars over the past decade

49. VISION • To be a multi-disciplinary Centre of Excellence in the field of risk reduction, resilience, incident management, and disaster mitigation in the Wider Caribbean specifically and in Small Island Developing States globally

50. Objectives • Build, mobilise, and coordinate regional capacity to provide a knowledge network and • carry out research to support and strengthen the national, regional, and sectoral mechanisms responsible for coping with, avoiding, reducing, managing and mitigating risks particularly those related to natural disasters in the region; • Serve as a provider of policy advice to regional entities (eg CARICOM, affiliated bilateral and multinational institutions) the private sector, Civil Society and national Governments. • Emulate / Cooperate with similar university based Risk/Disaster Research capacity building entities in other regions and build upon the World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDR) guidance on the establishment of National/Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Platforms.