All around the world Red Cross is spreading the message that we must turn out attention to disaster risk reduction.
Reducing disaster vulnerability is proving to be one of the most critical challenges.
As we experienced following Ivan, disasters can wipe out years of development in just a few minutes.
Disaster risk reduction includes everything we can do before as well as after a disaster strikes to prepare ourselves and our community to limit the damage.
In order to do this though we must first understand what a disaster is. Most people may think that disasters refer only to hurricanes. It is important to know that disasters can occur from man made errors or from a natural occurrence.
Disasters cannot always be prevented but risks can be significantly reduced. Having less vulnerability or openness to risks leaves little room for hazards to turn into disasters.
The Red Cross is involving the community to identify the risks they are exposed to, and find appropriate solutions so lives and assets can be saved.
The Red Cross has focused on disaster reduction, prevention and response for many years. In recognition of their hard work in the area of risk reduction it received funding for a project from the Disaster Preparedness Unit of the European Commissions’ Humanitarian Aid Office, known as DIPECHO.
The DIPECHO project teaches participants, who are members of the Community Disaster Response Teams, how to use specific tools to gather information from the residents themselves about their perception of what the hazards and assets are in their communities.
After the data has been gathered, participants process it and present their findings back to the residents whom they interviewed and together the community will be able to create a community level disaster preparedness and response plan.
The main idea of the Community Disaster Response Teams is to empower the community to look out for and take care of itself as much as possible, and to come together as a unit to address the problems which impact all of them together.
Here is where another project, the Community Based Disaster Preparedness program will take a lead to encourage communities to stand together in being able to assist each other in the onset of a disaster. Who knows your community better than your neighbour and your families?
Who will you depend on before or after a disaster?
The ones closest to you will be the first to respond so let us work together.
It is at this local level that the Red Cross, through its staff and volunteers, play a fundamental role in strengthening livelihoods, disseminating safety information, developing preparedness plans and mobilizing teams to respond to both small and large-scale disasters.
The Cayman Islands Red Cross through its DIPECHO and Community Based Disaster Program will continue to focus its efforts in educating the communities as to risk reduction. It will also be addressing the schools and students with a message of disaster awareness.
It will bring to their attention that they too can be part of the solution. The Red Cross believes that education, knowledge and awareness are critical to building the ability to reduce losses from natural or manmade disasters.
Children can be part of the solution as they are able to learn and have a better understanding of their environment and reduce their vulnerability to natural hazards by participating in risk reduction education.
The message the Cayman Islands Red Cross would like to remind the public how important it is to be aware of your risks and hazards that make you more vulnerable. It encourages the public to take steps to reduce their vulnerability.
This could be as simple as cleaning your yard so debris does not turn in to missiles in the event of strong winds and/or hurricane. It could also be ensuring that your building is in good repair, and making sure you have a family disaster preparedness plan.
Tracey Potkins
Volunteer Management coordinator
Cayman Islands Red Cross
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