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More refined perspective to improve preparation for, recovery from, natural disasters

Mon, Jan 22nd 2024, 10:58 AM
Environment

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Risk Management, the Hon. Leo Lundy, said Friday that the new year will bring a more refined perspective and focus on how the country prepares for, responds to and recovers from potential natural disasters – including hurricanes, the major natural disaster that impacts the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Mr. Lundy, who took office as State-Minister responsible for the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, January 2 (2024), said the more refined perspective includes the implementation of policies to further address those areas.

“In this new year, we find ourselves at the intersection of opportunity and transformation,” Mr. Lundy said. “Although I am new to the role as the Minister responsible, I am committed to cultivating collaboration, fostering innovation and charting a course towards success.

“I look forward to the opportunity to integrate the expertise from various sectors to cultivate a resilient management team and to foster a shared vision that ensures the safety and well-being of our nation in the face of any future natural disaster,” the State-Minister added.

The strategy is in line with the Davis Administration’s Action Plan for strengthening the government’s framework for disaster risk management in-country, while developing ways in which to best mitigate the effects of natural and other disasters on the nation as contained in the Administration’s “Blueprint for Change.”  The Action Plan includes Reconstruction and Resilience.

Mr. Lundy was addressing the Opening Session of a one-day Inter-American Development Bank’s Preparedness, Recovery and Reconstruction Country Team (P2RCT) Meeting with various Government agencies responsible for Disaster Risk Management.

Hosted by the Bank’s Bahamas Country Office, the Meeting was attended by Mrs. Daniela Carrera Marquis, Bahamas Country Representative, Inter-American Development Bank, and other IDB team members and international consultants; Dr. Marcellus Taylor, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management; Mrs. Isla Deane, Under Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management; Mr. Alex Storr, Chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA); Mr. Aarone Sargent, Managing Director of the DRA, and Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency.  Key personnel from across the government sector involved in disaster risk management and planning were also in attendance.

State-Minister Lundy said one aspect of the implementation policy will include the merging of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA), and the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) into the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority) in order to enhance the government’s efforts to serve Bahamian communities.

The DRM Authority is anticipated to move into new office accommodations in the “near future” that will allow for a more coordinated approach in its planning, activities and functions.

Under the new Authority, emergency services will also be improved to better assist the population with responses to natural disasters. These include “highly vulnerable” populations such as women, children, persons with disabilities and older adults.

“For example, humanitarian relief must meet international standards regarding food and nutrition, health, water supply, sanitation, and shelter. Also, highly vulnerable persons such as women, children, disabled persons, and older adults will receive better care,” State-Minister Lundy said.

“Additionally, the Disaster Management Act, 2022, mandates improvements in the Early Warning Systems so that the population has sufficient time to evacuate with reduced risk to themselves and to better secure their property.”

State-Minister Lundy applauded the Inter-American Development Bank “for their tremendous technical support” in establishing the new Authority and for the Bank’s longstanding partnership in other areas such as implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2022.

“Your collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and assistance in formulating the new legislation in record time is greatly appreciated by our government. We are truly grateful to your organization as you continue to assist us through several consultancies, both local and international,” State-Minister Lundy added.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Risk Management, the Hon. Leo Lundy, said Friday that the new year will bring a more refined perspective and focus on how the country prepares for, responds to and recovers from potential natural disasters – including hurricanes, the major natural disaster that impacts the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Mr. Lundy, who took office as State-Minister responsible for the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, January 2 (2024), said the more refined perspective includes the implementation of policies to further address those areas.
“In this new year, we find ourselves at the intersection of opportunity and transformation,” Mr. Lundy said. “Although I am new to the role as the Minister responsible, I am committed to cultivating collaboration, fostering innovation and charting a course towards success.
“I look forward to the opportunity to integrate the expertise from various sectors to cultivate a resilient management team and to foster a shared vision that ensures the safety and well-being of our nation in the face of any future natural disaster,” the State-Minister added.
The strategy is in line with the Davis Administration’s Action Plan for strengthening the government’s framework for disaster risk management in-country, while developing ways in which to best mitigate the effects of natural and other disasters on the nation as contained in the Administration’s “Blueprint for Change.”  The Action Plan includes Reconstruction and Resilience.
Mr. Lundy was addressing the Opening Session of a one-day Inter-American Development Bank’s Preparedness, Recovery and Reconstruction Country Team (P2RCT) Meeting with various Government agencies responsible for Disaster Risk Management.
Hosted by the Bank’s Bahamas Country Office, the Meeting was attended by Mrs. Daniela Carrera Marquis, Bahamas Country Representative, Inter-American Development Bank, and other IDB team members and international consultants; Dr. Marcellus Taylor, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management; Mrs. Isla Deane, Under Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management; Mr. Alex Storr, Chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA); Mr. Aarone Sargent, Managing Director of the DRA, and Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency.  Key personnel from across the government sector involved in disaster risk management and planning were also in attendance.
State-Minister Lundy said one aspect of the implementation policy will include the merging of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA), and the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) into the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM Authority) in order to enhance the government’s efforts to serve Bahamian communities.
The DRM Authority is anticipated to move into new office accommodations in the “near future” that will allow for a more coordinated approach in its planning, activities and functions.
Under the new Authority, emergency services will also be improved to better assist the population with responses to natural disasters. These include “highly vulnerable” populations such as women, children, persons with disabilities and older adults.
“For example, humanitarian relief must meet international standards regarding food and nutrition, health, water supply, sanitation, and shelter. Also, highly vulnerable persons such as women, children, disabled persons, and older adults will receive better care,” State-Minister Lundy said.
“Additionally, the Disaster Management Act, 2022, mandates improvements in the Early Warning Systems so that the population has sufficient time to evacuate with reduced risk to themselves and to better secure their property.”
State-Minister Lundy applauded the Inter-American Development Bank “for their tremendous technical support” in establishing the new Authority and for the Bank’s longstanding partnership in other areas such as implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Act, 2022.
“Your collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and assistance in formulating the new legislation in record time is greatly appreciated by our government. We are truly grateful to your organization as you continue to assist us through several consultancies, both local and international,” State-Minister Lundy added.
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