Dr. Barbara Carby, director of Cayman’s proposed national emergency and hazard management agency, is in the process of developing the framework for disaster risk management.
‘This strategic framework will guide the country’s disaster risk management programme for the next several years,’ she explained in a press release.
Implementation of the framework will require establishment of appropriate legislation and institutions.
The agency will be involved in all aspects of hazard management, including emergency management. As such, the agency will be hoping to instil a culture of risk prevention and reduction, Dr Carby said.
‘Our goal is to emphasise disaster mitigation in order to reduce the need for response. However, we will still maintain a high level of preparedness to ensure that we can respond should the need arise.’
The agency also plans to be as inclusive as possible with participation from a broad cross-section of the entire country – including children, the business community, and the public sector.
Now in discussion with key players, Dr. Carby is circulating the draft strategic framework for disaster risk management, in which the national programme is embedded.
‘Starting from scratch is a challenge,’ she said, ‘but it presents good opportunities in terms of adopting the very best practices in disaster risk management. That is our goal for Cayman.’
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