Special Security Concerns of the Small Island States of the

Caribbean – Natural and Man Made Disasters

Elizabeth RileyDeputy Executive Director

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Via videoconferenceApril 22, 2013

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Presentation Overview

CDEMA Non-Traditional Security issues

in Caribbean SIDS CARICOM Regional Crime and

Security Strategy Actions Taken Way Forward

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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

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CDEMA Participating StatesCDEMA Participating States

Special Security Considerations of Caribbean SIDS -

Definitions

Environmental Security –

Those environmental problems or challenges which may create or add instability in a geopolitical

region

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

Security areas addressed

Instability caused by Natural systems Man made interventions

Accidental Intentional

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 …

Natural Hazards of Concern in the Caribbean Level

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Instability – potentially through Man-made

interventions

Accidental Oil spills Hazard materials eg. Nuclear

transshipments

Instability – Potentially through Man-made

interventions

Intentional Acts of Terror

Biological weapons Chemical agents Use of explosive devices

2011-2012 EVENTS IN CDEMA PS

Drought Aircraft crashes Landslides Volcanic Eruption Tropical Storms and Hurricanes Earthquake Fires Tsunami (scare)

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Selected Hazard Impacts in the CaribbeanTIMETIME PLACEPLACE DISASTERDISASTER IMPACTIMPACT19881988 JamaicaJamaica Hurricane Hurricane

GilbertGilbert65% GDP65% GDP

19891989 5 5 countriescountries

Hurricane Hurricane HugoHugo

US$412 MUS$412 M

19991999 DominicaDominica Hurricane Hurricane LennyLenny

53% GDP53% GDP

20042004 Haiti & DRHaiti & DR FloodingFlooding 270 deaths270 deaths

20042004 GrenadaGrenada Hurricane IvanHurricane Ivan US$895 MUS$895 M

20042004 JamaicaJamaica Hurricane IvanHurricane Ivan US$592 MUS$592 M

20052005 GuyanaGuyana FloodingFlooding 60% GDP60% GDP

20102010 Saint Saint LuciaLucia

Hurricane Hurricane TomasTomas

334M US$334M US$

Various sources: Collated by CDEMA

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Hazard Impacts – Ivan 2004

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”

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

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)

Requirements to address these challenges …

Multi agency approach Incorporation of non-traditional

actors Additional capacity Complex information sharing and

communication landscape

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

CDM in ContextCDM 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)

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Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) – A space for

engagement

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CDM Governance Structure

CDEMA Executive Director

CDEMA Executive Director

CouncilCouncil

TACTAC

CDM Strategy SummaryCDM 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

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CDM Strategy and Results CDM Strategy and Results FrameworkFramework

GOAL Regional Sustainable Development through CDM

PURPOSE ‘To strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation,

management, and coordinated response to natural and technological hazards, and the effects of climate change.

OUTCOME 1: Enhanced institutional support for CDM Program implementation at national and regional levels

OUTCOME 2: An effective mechanism and programme for management of comprehensive disaster management knowledge has been established

OUTCOME 3: Disaster Risk Management has been mainstreamed at national levels and incorporated into key sectors of national economies

OUTCOME 4: Enhanced community resilience in CDEMA states/ territories to mitigate and respond to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters

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CDEMA ActionsCDEMA Actions

Country Focused ProgrammingCountry Focused Programming Deeper understanding of national contextDeeper understanding of national context

Priority needs identification driving supportPriority needs identification driving support

Creating an Enabling Environment for CDM Creating an Enabling Environment for CDM ImplementationImplementation CDM Legislation, Policy, StrategyCDM Legislation, Policy, Strategy

Model Tools and ProductsModel Tools and Products

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CDEMA ActionsCDEMA Actions

Operational ReadinessOperational Readiness

Regional Response Mechanism – Plan Development, Regional Response Mechanism – Plan Development, review and exercising review and exercising

Role of Sub-Regional Focal PointsRole of Sub-Regional Focal Points

Strategic Alliances and PartnershipsStrategic Alliances and Partnerships

MOU’s with CARICOM IMPACS and Regional Security MOU’s with CARICOM IMPACS and Regional Security SystemSystem

Capture value added of competitive nichesCapture value added of competitive niches

GovernanceGovernance

Monitoring, Evaluation and ReportingMonitoring, Evaluation and Reporting04/21/23 26

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