The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) has implemented a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MEWS) to enhance Barbados’ preparedness and response to various disaster risks.
This was disclosed last Friday by DEM’s Acting Deputy Director, Captain Robert Harewood, during a visit to DEM’s headquarters by Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Mami Mizutori.
The MEWS is the result of a comprehensive gap analysis of Barbados’ existing early warning systems and is designed to provide timely and effective information to government institutions and communities.
Captain Harewood stated: “Barbados is very vulnerable to various hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, flash floods, and more. Our early warning systems must be able to mitigate against these threats and provide activation for timely preparedness actions.”
The implementation of the MEWS is in line with Barbados’ Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Audit and the DEM Strategic Plan 2019-2023. It is based on four pillars – disaster risk knowledge, monitoring and analysis, warning dissemination and communication, and disaster response capability.
Ms. Mizutori commended the efforts of the DEM in implementing the MEWS. “Barbados has made great strides in its efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters and we’re here to support and showcase those efforts globally…. With strong risk governance in place and a commitment to resilience, Barbados is well-positioned to lead the charge in this initiative,” Ms. Mizutori stated.
The MEWS will provide essential information to support risk assessments, monitoring, and analysis of potential hazards. The reliable and simple communication systems will deliver warnings to potential impacted communities, alerting local and regional government agencies. It will also support disaster response efforts by improving coordination, good governance, and public awareness.