Barbados and other member states that fall under the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency???s (CDEMA) umbrella can now benefit from specialised training in areas related to disaster management.
That???s because CDEMA???s new US$4 million headquarters which was officially opened today at Resilience Way, Lower Estate, St. Michael, now houses a Regional Training Centre, warehouse and the Regional Coordination Centre.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Executive Director of CDEMA, Ronald Jackson, said the Regional Training Centre, would focus its efforts primarily on the delivery of standardised training.
This, he explained, included training in core areas such as Emergency Operations; Contingency Planning; Disaster Risk Management (an introductory programme) and Programme Development and Management for Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM).
Mr. Jackson added that the Regional Training Centre would also contribute to some of the outcomes outlined in the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 2014 to 2024, which spoke directly to strengthening institutional arrangements for CDM in the region.
The Regional Training Centre is designed to address several areas including promoting comprehensive disaster management throughout its 18 member countries and identifying gaps in CDM capabilities and training needs within the CDEMA system.??
In addition, it will develop and maintain the capabilities for CDM through the provision of a programme of standardised training; maintain a record of existing capabilities, materials and resources and facilitate and promote national, regional and international partnerships for development and delivery of standardised training for CDEMA.
Mr. Jackson noted that since its inception, CDEMA had pursued a policy of collaboration with national, regional and international organisations towards the realisation of a safer, more resilient region.
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb