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Hurricane Irma and Jose – Situation Report #4

Hurricane Irma

Report from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as of 9:00PM AST on 10th September 2017.

PROFILES OF HURRICANES IRMA & JOSE

Status of Hurrican Irma as at 8:00 pm (EDT) September 10,2017
Winds Speed Longitude Latitude
105 MPH 14 MPH 26.7 North 81.7 West

 

Status of Hurrican Jose as at 5:00 pm (EDT) September 10,2017
winds Speed Longitude Latitude
120 MPH 16 MPH 22.8 North 66.9 West

 

NATIONAL UPDATES – POST IMPACT:

Reports emerging from impacted CDEMA Participating States as of September 09-10, 2017 reveal the following:
ANGUILLA
 One fatality
 90% electricity infrastructure damage
 Significant damage to main water supply
 90% government buildings damaged
 Sea ports remain closed
 Airport serviceable to emergency flights, most roads leading to airport cleared of debris
 Debris removal ongoing along other main roads and critical infrastructure
 Utility restoration will begin through the installation of towers, poles and wires
 Temporary retrofit done to critical infrastructure such as the Police Station and NEOC
 Vulnerable government buildings secured
 Food shortage due to limited access and fuel for generators
 Damage assessment report being prepared
 Structural shelter assessment conducted
 Resumed relief distribution
 Tourism sector seriously damaged
BARBUDA
 One fatality
 90% electricity infrastructure damage
 Significant damage to main water supply
 99% of building stock damaged (1084 strucutres)
 The hospital sustained significatn damage to the point where it is no longer possible to carry out medical services from that location.
 Completed evacuation of population from Barbuda to Antigua (a total of 1413 persons)
 2 main shelters in Antigua – the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds and the National Technical Training Center (NTTC) (305 persons in both shelters)
 Initial assessments reveal the number of structures damaged or destroyed has a replacement
cost of a little over 200 million dollars
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
 Four fatalities
 Significant damage to electricity
 Significant damage to water systems
 Hospital impacted due to damaged utility lines
 Airport tower compromised
 State of Emergency declared
 Limited water and food supplies
 NEOC destroyed
HAITI
 One fatality
 67 shelters accommodating 11,041 persons
 Evacuated 8 departments
 Some damaged roofs
 16 municipalities flooded by runoff & flooding of main rivers
Some roads partially damaged
 1 person missing
 5 cases of minor injuries
 Rapid assessments of human and material damage are underway
 The red alert is lifted throughout the national territory
 The NEOC is collecting additional information from the geographical region and another report
will be issued tomorrow
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
 70% of the households sustained damage on South Caicos
 70% of the households sustained damage on Providenciales
 50% of the households sustained damage on Grand Turk Island
 

REGIONAL RESPONSE ACTIONS:

CDEMA COORDINATING UNIT
  The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) advance team, consisting of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU), Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT), CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST), and the CARICOM Disaster Assessment Coordination team, was operating out of its staging post in Antigua, which was largely unaffected by the hurricanes.
 The teams are now deployed to the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, as of today September 10, 2017, having been into Barbuda late last week.
 CDEMA’s Rapid Assessment team from its staging post in Jamaica was scheduled to arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands today.
 The Agency has also been in contact with Haiti which has also suffered damage during the
passage of Hurricane Irma.
 The 6th meeting of the RRM Partners was convened yesterday, Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 1:15pm at the CDEMA Coordinating Unit. The meeting was chaired by CDEMA’s Executive Director. Approximately thirty (30) participants from regional and international donor, humanitarian and development agencies were represented.
CARIBBEAN INSTITUTE OF METEOROLOGY AND HYDROLOGY (CIMH)
 Continue to provide the RRM with daily briefings on weather systems and impact analysis
 Deployed team member to support bringing back commercial aviation on stream
 Provided weather stations for use
LIAT
 LIAT continues to support CDEMA’s effort to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people in the impacted countries. They have secured seats for response personnel who are supporting the affected population and their needs.
REGIONAL SECURITY SYSTEM (RSS)
 RSS Airwing conducted 2 missions with 12 British Armed Forces personnel and Mr. David Archer (Dep. Governor, BVI) to BVI. The purpose of the British Armed Forces was to restore confidence, make the runway safe and secure the Governor.
 Airwing enroute with 4 stranded persons from BVI to Barbados.
 Requested 90 Police and 60 Soldiers on standby for preparation of deployment to BVI.
 Deployed the CDRU kits from Barbados to Antigua (September 10, 2017) including rations,
sleeping bags, tents and cots.
 Three (3) CDRU personnel and CDRU kits were picked up from Antigua and deployed to BVI
(September 10, 2017).
 Redeployed four (4) media personnel from Antigua to Barbados (September 10, 2017).

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS UPDATES:

GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA (GAC):
 Will contribute $100,000 to CDEMA to provide logistical support for relief supplies and
assessment teams, emergency power, and relief supplies (including building materials, as
needed).
 Released $105,000 from its Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF) to support International.
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) emergency operations in Haiti
($30,000), the Dominican Republic ($30,000), Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis ($45,000).
 Supporting the deployment of an expert to the UNDAC team for emergency assessment,
information management and coordination of incoming international relief.
 The EDAF drawdown fund, maintained by the Canadian Red Cross, can be immediately activated to support IFRC operations responding to small to medium scale crises. Relief is delivered through local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
 Canada also supports a number of humanitarian partners present in the Caribbean, including
the WFP’s Immediate Response Account, which has been used to preposition stocks in Haiti, and UNDAC, through which one Canadian expert was deployed.
 1 Canadian airport specialist on standby to assist CDEMA with Rapid Needs Assessment as
required. It is anticipated that he will be deployed to Bahamas and or Turks and Caicos.
EUROPEAN CIVIL PROTECTION AND HUMANITARIAN AID OPERATIONS (ECHO):
 Civil Protection Team on standby
 Copernicus: 28 maps produced
ECHO field is closely following the developments in coordination with partners – humanitarian
experts deployed in Haiti and Dominican Republic, standby for Cuba and for Eastern Caribbean
islands.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES (IFRC) 
 Preliminary appeal launched for St Kitts and Nevis
 Targets support to 500 families (300 families – Antigua and Barbuda, 200 families – St Kitts and
Nevis)
 Provision of first aid kits and services
 Psychological first aid and support services to affected persons
 Support to epidemic surveillance
 Health assessments and public awareness
 Hygiene promotion and distribution of hygiene kits
 distribution of food rations and NFIs including kitchen sets, blankets, mosquito nets, jerry cans,
buckets, shelter kits, unconditional cash transfers to affected families to meet their essential
needs
 
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS UNION (ITU)
 Have 50 Satellite phones for deployment and positioning technical support concerning usage
etc.
 Provision of 20 similar phones already to Haiti
PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION (PAHO)
 Emergency Declaration and Standard Emergency Procedures activated, together with Regional. Emergency Response Team
 Funds made available for the immediate response (deployments, coordination, assessments,
logistics, etc.)
 Staff based in St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda who are performing need
assessments
 Two experts deployed to Antigua and Barbuda
 Preliminary assessment of hospital/health center in Barbuda carried out on September 8
 Staff deployed to Bahamas and to Turks and Caicos Islands. Currently carrying out needs
assessments for health sector
 In Haiti, PAHO in coordination with departmental level of affected areas mobilized five teams to support response, as needed
 Coordination with BVI, Anguilla, and Antigua and Barbuda to support with immediate needs,
including provision of critical medicines and other medical supplies destroyed
 Planned deployment of experts to BVI expected tomorrow, 10 Sept: logistician, electrical
engineer, assessments and WASH (with CDEMA RNAT)
 Ongoing coordination with Ministries of Health in the Region for immediate movement of
medicines and other health supplies to most affected islands
 Deployments for St Martin (2 persons), Anguilla (2 persons), and BVI (1 persons), who departed Barbados 7 Sept are still en route in light of transportation challenges related with closure of the damaged airports in these countries
UNITED STATES AID FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – OFFICE OF US FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (USAID/OFDA)
 Will be sending a relief flight into Antigua on Monday, September 11th
 Bahamas Red Cross – $100,000 for the purchase of Non Food Items – NFIs (200 cleaning supply kits, mattresses and bedding) and 1,000 cash transfer debit cards. Target: Approx. 3,000 people
 Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross – $100,000 for the purchase of NFIs (100 hygiene kits including sanitary napkins, 200 bedding kits, 25 community clean up kits, 100 Personal Protective Equipment kits (PPE), 155 kitchen sets, 100 shelter kits including plastic sheets and rope, 25 community shelter tool kits) Target: Approx. 1,000 people
 3. Relief Flight (ETA: Wednesday 9/13 to Antigua) – Plastic Sheeting (4m x 60m): 350 rolls;
Hygiene Kits: 3,500; Water containers, 10L/collapsible: 7,000; Kitchen sets: 3,200; Blankets:
7,000; Chain saw kits: 3 (note: each quantity of kits aims to benefit approximately 17,500
people)
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)
 Providing communications and logistics support
 Providing technical support to governments on social protection and nutrition
 Cash transfers
 Food support
 Support for the prevention of Zika and dengue viruses
UNITED NATIONS (UN) AGENCIES
UN ENVIRONMENT
 Remote environmental risk assessments (FEAT tables) already developed for Antigua & Barbuda, Turks and Caicos
 Finalising assessments for Bahamas and St Kitts & Nevis
 Responding to a CDEMA request for disaster waste management experts through partners,
potential deployment 13 September
 Request for water distribution expertise shared with UNICEF ROLAC
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP)
 USD 25,000 of emergency funds approved and allocated for Antigua and Barbuda to support
coordination and assessments
 Ready to support national efforts on damage and needs assessments as well as develop early
recovery frameworks
 Experts on debris/waste management, emergency employment and Cash for Work, livelihoods revitalization, core government functions and Post Disaster Needs Assessments are on standby and ready to be deployed. Additionally specialists are on standby to accompany governments and relevant partners in needs assessments and early recovery planning
 Allocated USD 300,000 form its core resources to support assessments, coordination and
elaboration of recovery frameworks in affected countries
 Experts on debris/waste management, emergency employment and Cash for Work, livelihoods revitalization, core government functions and Post Disaster
 Needs Assessments are on standby and ready to be deployed. In addition, specialists are on
standby to accompany governments and relevant partners in needs assessments and early
recovery planning
UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND (UNFPA)
 Financial resources are available to provide the Dignity/Hygiene Kits in collaboration with UN
Women and national authorities. UNFPA can also supply life-saving Reproductive Health Kits
 UNFPA has technical resources available to guide on preventing and addressing GBV and sexual violence in affected communities, and is submitting a request for surge capacity to support coordination around GBV
 Collaborating with UN Women and with the Directorate of Gender Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda, in distributing Dignity/Hygiene Kits, especially to affected women and girls
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN FUND (UNICEF)
 2 shipments (1 each for Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica)
 Blankets, tarpaulins, water purification kits, 10L containers, recreation kits and school-in-a-box
kits, hygiene kits
 6 tents to Antigua stadium
 2 teams available to support the relief efforts in BVI
 2 persons to Antigua to support the coordination of relief efforts
 Zika prevention and mosquito nets
 Support the purchase of cleaning items locally
 Logistics team to handle procurement
 Prepositioned supplies in Barbados to reach Anguilla and Tortola via Antigua
UNWOMEN
 Electronic funds transfer to Directorate for Gender in Antigua and Barbuda for the provision of
dignity kits to women and girls displaced on Friday September 09, 2017
 UN Women is positioning to provide technical support on preventing and responding to GBV in
shelter management
 Positioning for priority deployment for a social protection officer to support the RNATs
UK AID
 8 more staff are on their way to the region, including experts with civ-mil, logistics, and health
and communications specialists
 2 logistics experts are also travelling to Gibraltar to assist HMSOcean
 Support to PAHO (emergency primary healthcare) and CDEMA (transport and immediate
response)
 Mount Bay delivered the 200 DFID shelter kits on board (50% to Anguilla and 50% to BVI)
832 additional shelter kits have arrived in Barbados and we are working on distributing these
onwards
 Over the next 24 hours troops and engineers will deploy with helicopters to support the relief
efforts in the OTS impacted
 The UK will provide 53 police officers from 14 units to assist with public order
 Between Sunday and Thursday, planning to fly in 5,000 solar lanterns and 10,000 buckets
 Dispatched 5,000 hygiene kits, 10,000 buckets, and 500,000 aquatabs to Gibraltar for loading
onto HMS Ocean (due to depart on Tuesday)
 UK military A400 is currently making its way to you containing a forward contingent of UK
military personnel and 640 shelter kits
 5 tons of CDEMA food items and 8 DfID/CDEMA personnel moved from Antigua to British Virgin Islands
 Priority over next 24 hours is to provide security in Anguilla and Turk and Caicos
 If possible, some CDEMA personal and DfID food items will also be moved from Barbados to
Anguilla
CDEMA continues to monitor the system and provide updates as necessary.
CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880
More on Hurricane Irma | OECS

Jamaica to host ECPA Energy Summit in 2019

Energy Summit
Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Her Excellency Audrey Marks, addresses delegates at the opening plenary of the 3rd Ministerial meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), at Viña del Mar in Santiago, Chile, on September 7
Jamaica is to host the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA), scheduled to be held in 2019.
Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), Her Excellency Audrey Marks, made the announcement as she addressed the opening plenary of the 3rd Ministerial Meeting of ECPA, at Viña del Mar, just outside Santiago, Chile, on September 7.
The Ambassador spoke of the continued commitment of the Government towards energy diversification and access, and reduced cost to the population.
She said Jamaica looks forward to the next two years of leading the work of the ECPA in partnership with the team at the Development Secretariat of the OAS.
“The region is rich in natural resources and we will seek to optimize this potential through various activities that will make the Americas a leader in the new energy paradigm,” the Ambassador said.
Extending appreciation to President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet and the Minister of Energy, Hon. Andres Rebelledo and his team, in partnership with the OAS, for guiding ECPA over the past two years, she noted that Chile has handed Jamaica the baton with a running start. She expressed confidence that Jamaica will also provide strong leadership.
“I am very heartened by the expressions of support from the partners of this initiative at the United States Department of Energy and Department of State as well as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and World Bank delegations,” the Ambassador said.
Also addressing the meeting were President Bachelet and the Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador Luis Almagro.
President Bachelet highlighted the necessity of energy access and her country’s commitment towards more sustainable energy, and supporting the guiding principles and Action Plan of the ECPA.
During the opening ceremony, representatives from several countries made presentations in support of the seven pillars of the ECPA.
The seven pillars include: promoting renewable energy; improving energy efficiency; making more efficient use of fossil fuels; creating energy infrastructure; reducing energy poverty; promoting regional energy integration; and developing energy research and innovation.
Its Mission is to promote regional energy cooperation through different strategies and actions to achieve a cleaner, safer, efficient, modern and fair energy deployment, while the Vision is one of shared leadership in the implementation of energy initiatives and the exchange of experiences within the countries of the Americas, in support of energy development objectives.
The ECPA is supported by a Technical Coordination Unit led by the Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS.

Everything being done to have normal flights – Henry

JCAA
Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry (centre), in a meeting with personnel from the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association and Aerotel to discuss matters relating to a lightning strike on Friday (September 8), which damaged the radar and communications systems at the Kingston Air Traffic control centre, in Kingston.

The Government is assuring the public that everything is being done to ensure that flights in and out of the island return to normal in the shortest possible time.

This assurance was given by Minister of Transport and Mining, Hon. Mike Henry, in an interview with JIS News on Sunday (September 10), following a meeting with key stakeholders in the industry, such as the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), the Jamaica Air Traffic Controllers Association and Aerotel Communications Ltd.
On Friday (September 8), the radar and communications systems at the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre in Kingston were struck by lightning, causing a shutdown of Jamaica’s airspace.
Deputy Director General of Air Navigation Services at the JCAA, Carl Gaynair, said that a contingency plan has been put in place to enable the re-opening of the airspace on a limited basis.
“We have been providing limited air traffic services since 11:00 p.m. last night (September 9). We are now operating at approximately 50 per cent with the expectation that it will increase in the coming days,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister said the Government “will be putting in the necessary systems to ensure that operations are continuous.”
He pointed out that while the incident was beyond human control, he would be looking at measures to prevent a recurrence.
“It is impossible to prevent a lightning strike, and I will be looking into strategies, such as installing lightning arresters,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that the issue was compounded by the fact that the neighbouring air traffic control centres in Cuba and Miami, which would normally provide support under these circumstances, were impacted by Hurricane Irma and were unable to do so.
The lightning strike destroyed the voice control switch that monitors the air to ground voice communications as well as the air traffic management computer systems.

ECSC on the Passage of Hurricane Irma

ECSC Statement on the Passage of Hurricane Irma

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court – ECSC Statement on the Passage of Hurricane Irma.

On the evening of 5th September 2017 and well into the following day, Hurricane Irma with winds over 180 mph moved over the Leeward Islands. Three of the Court’s Member States and Territories, namely, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda and the Territory of the Virgin Islands were severely impacted by the passage of this catastrophic hurricane, in addition to St. Kitts and Nevis which also reported some damage. 

On the island of Barbuda, 95% of the buildings were destroyed and the island is almost uninhabitable. Details of the damage and destruction on the Virgin Islands and Anguilla are still being assessed and remain inconclusive; however, from all accounts these Territories have been dealt a devastating blow by Hurricane Irma, resulting in the death of at least four (4) persons in the Virgin Islands. The islands largely remain without electricity and other essential services. Communication is extremely difficult and many parts of the Virgin Islands in particular are cut off from the rest of the world.
ECSC
Her Ladyship the Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE

Her Ladyship the Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE, Chief Justice, Judges, Masters and administrative and support staff of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) expresses heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those who lost their lives.

“The ECSC stands in solidarity with the people of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis and the Virgin Islands and is committed to providing its full support in their recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
“No effort will be spared in lending a helping hand in ensuring that these Member States and Territories rebuild and that normalcy returns to the lives of their people” said Her Ladyship the Hon. Dame Janice M. Pereira DBE.

The courts in Antigua and St. Kitts and Nevis were spared major damage and are open for business. However, at this time, the courts in Anguilla and the Virgin Islands are closed. Judges, and court staff have been displaced and the court buildings have been badly damaged in these Territories. Currently, an assessment is being undertaken by court officials in Anguilla and the Virgin Islands on the state of their courts’ infrastructure and facilities with a view to determining dates for the reopening of the courts.
As expected in these circumstances, the courts in Anguilla and the Virgin Islands will not operate at the level they did before the hurricane for some time. Nonetheless, the ECSC remains committed to the administration of justice in these Territories and is making every effort to ensure the speedy resumption of the hearing of matters as well as providing immediate interim arrangements to facilitate the hearing of urgent applications and trials from these Territories.
Further updates on the situation in Anguilla and the Territory of the Virgin Islands will be provided via the Court’s Website and in the print and electronic media as soon as more information becomes available to the ECSC.

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

 

Eleventh Regional Planners Forum on Agriculture

Sustainable Agriculture

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, will convene the Eleventh Regional Planners Forum on Agriculture at the Hilton Resort, Barbados on Thursday, 14 September 2017 and Friday, 15 September 2017 under the theme Innovation Systems for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. 
The Regional Planners Forum provides for dialogue amongst Agricultural Planners of the Region and articulation of regional policies in agriculture, based on national and regional priorities/imperatives. The recommendations of the forum are received by Ministers of Agriculture at the Special Meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (Agriculture) for that body’s consideration. The forum is therefore a key body to map the growth and expansion of the agricultural sector of CARICOM and realisation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
The objective of the forum is to identify and promote policies and institutional mechanisms to strengthen innovation systems for sustainable agriculture and rural development in three very crucial areas: Financial Instruments, Investments and Institutional Strengthening; Climate Smart Agriculture; and Value Chains and Access to Inclusive Markets. 
Some seventy persons will be participating in the forum. Agricultural Planners of CARICOM Member States and officials of several institutions and agencies engaged in Agriculture Development of the Region as well as the private sector of the Caribbean will be in attendance. In addition, for the first time, the Regional Planners Forum will include representatives of several Latin American countries, who will be provide insights and information on the activities in their respective countries that propel the adoption of innovation systems for sustainable agriculture and rural development.
Emphasis has been placed on active participation of delegates and on knowledge sharing and there will be break-out sessions to allow all participants to contribute to issues that have been identified.
The analysis and discussion will thus be based on a critical view of public policy and institutional frameworks and what must be done to be more facilitative of the development and adoption of innovative proposals to meet current demands of the countries and local communities in these three areas that are critical for the expansion of the agricultural sector.
The recent passing of Hurricane Irma and its devastating impacts on some of our Caribbean countries have served as a grim reminder of the impacts of climate change on vulnerable Small Island Developing States with limited natural resource base. It underscores even more the need for Climate Smart Agriculture to be a main component of agricultural planning and national disaster preparedness plans. In this regard, planners would examine the predicted impacts of Climate Change on the Agriculture Sector and the adverse effects on food and nutrition security in the Region and the innovation strategies and policies needed to build resilience and promote sustainable natural resources management systems.
Availability and adequacy of financial services, such as loans and insurance, and the impact on investment in agriculture remain a major concern of stakeholders.Planners will deliberate on success stories in Member States and critically assess the services available to small and large investors towards finalising a Regional Strategy for Investment in Agriculture. Issues such as what is needed to attain higher levels of public-private partnerships, institutional strengthening and actions that must be taken to promote an innovative investment strategy for the benefit of all stakeholders will be examined critically.
There are important examples of innovation in family farming in Latin America and the Caribbean which have enhanced the assets of rural communities through the use of technology in value chain development according to their own productive and cultural processes with linkages to more efficient and sustainable markets. An examination of the lessons learned from these innovations and the implications for policy makers is important to improve the performance of the agricultural sector, and particularly the empowerment of small farmers. In addition, the forum will deliberate on what policies or instruments have supported the creation of innovative Caribbean products, assisted in agricultural marketing and distribution and have led to improved livelihoods and poverty reduction. Representatives of the Caribbean Agribusiness Association, the Caribbean Farmers Network and the Massy Group of Companies and Goddard enterprises Limited will ensure that the private sector perspectives are taken on board in these deliberations.
An action plan and road map for each area of focus will be developed as the outcome of the meeting through a fully participatory process. Lead presenters from experts in the various focal areas and panellists will set the tone for group discussions and plenary sessions. The final recommendations will be presented to the Seventy First Special Meeting of the Council of Trade and Economic Development – Agriculture which will be held in Guyana on 4-6 October, 2017.

CDB announces support for countries affected by Hurricane Irma

CDB on Hurricane Irma
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced support for its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) affected by Hurricane Irma, and for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which is coordinating the Region’s response to the affected states.
The Bank is in the process of providing Emergency Relief Grants to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. These Grants, totalling USD200,000 each, will assist with costs associated with damage assessments and the provision and transportation of emergency relief supplies, water and sanitation resources, roofing materials for emergency shelters and community buildings, and temporary shelter for displaced persons.
In addition, CDB has offered Immediate Response Loans of up to USD750,000 to the affected countries. The Loans, available on highly concessionary terms, are designed to support the clearing and cleaning of areas damaged by Hurricane Irma, and the emergency restoration of services.
As the Region anticipated the arrival of Hurricane Irma, the Bank also approved a fast-tracked grant of USD150,000 to CDEMA to assist with preparations for mobilising and coordinating disaster relief.
Dr. Wm. Warren Smith, President of CDB, noted the Bank’s commitment to providing assistance following the passage of Irma.
“We reaffirm our support for our BMCs affected by this devastating hurricane. We very much regret the loss of life and infrastructure, and pledge to help the Governments and people of the impacted countries recover and rebuild in any way we possibly can,” he said.
CDB’s BMCs affected by Hurricane Irma are also eligible to receive Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Loans. This instrument helps governments with their recovery efforts, to rehabilitate social and economic infrastructure, and restore key economic sectors to better than pre-disaster operating levels. The Loans also assist in reducing countries’ vulnerability to future disasters.
As countries work on assessing the damage caused by Irma, CDB is also engaging development partners in discussions and planning for additional recovery and rehabilitation support. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, a segregated portfolio company and CDB partner, announced last week that it will make payouts of USD15.6 million on their tropical cyclone policies to the Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, and St. Kitts and Nevis as a result of the passage of Hurricane Irma. Additional payouts are expected in relation to water damage from flooding and storm surges.
CDB, which started outreach to BMCs in the path of Hurricane Irma before its approach, continues to collaborate with governments as they begin detailed assessments of damage caused to economic and social infrastructure.

CDEMA Steps up Hurricane Relief Effort

CDEMA

Relief efforts for the countries affected by Hurricane Irma in the eastern Caribbean have been stepped up following the passage of Hurricane Jose out of the area.
The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) advance team,  is operating out of its staging post in Antigua, which was largely unaffected by the hurricanes.
The advance team, consisting of the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU), Rapid Needs Assessment Team (RNAT), CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST), and the CARICOM Disaster Assessment Coordination team, have been deployed to the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, having been into Barbuda late last week.
Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands suffered serious damage by Hurricane Irma. CDEMA’s Rapid Assessment team, from its staging post in Jamaica, is scheduled to arrive in the Turks and Caicos Islands later today, Sunday 10 September. The Agency has also been in contact with Haiti which has also suffered damage during the passage of Hurricane Irma.
Latest information from the Governor of the British Virgin Islands indicates that five people have been confirmed dead.  Barbuda, Anguilla and Haiti each suffered one fatality. Eleven deaths have also been reported in the French territories of St Barthelemy and St Martin as well as the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten.

Jamaica – Leader in operating Drug Treatment Courts

Drug Treatment

Jamaica Lauded for Being Regional Leader in Operating Drug Treatment Courts.

Jamaica is being touted as a regional leader in its operation of drug treatment courts (DTCs) and a model for other countries implementing them.
Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Jamaica,Jeanelle van Glaanen Weygel, says experts from Jamaica have played a key role in the establishment of drug treatment courts in Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados.
She was addressing the opening of a three-day regional workshop on drug treatment courts at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on September 6.
In Jamaica, drug treatment courts have been established in five parishes. Theyprovide an alternative to incarceration for drug-dependent offenders where they benefit from treatment and rehabilitation under judicial supervision.
Research has shown that DTCs significantly reduce crime and the prison population, relapse into drug use is lessened, and they are more cost-effective than any other proven criminal justice strategy.
Ms. van Glaanen Weygel expressed confidence that Jamaica will continue to impact the development of DTCs throughout the hemisphere. She said the OAS is honoured to work with distinguished professionals at all levels of Government in Jamaica involved in the operation of the courts.
She said the organisation is particularly grateful for “the incredible support from Chief Justice, Zaila McCalla, who is known as an articulate and compassionate defender of human rights of drug-related offenders in the hemisphere.” She also praised other individuals and organisations for their roles in the establishment of the courts in the country.
Ms. van Glaanen Weygel noted that over the past decade, the OAS, through its Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), has been supporting member States to promote drug treatment courts and similar court-supervised treatment alternatives to incarceration in the Americas.
She informed that when CICAD began its collaboration with the Jamaican Government in 2010, Jamaica had already established adult treatment courts, which have grown from two to five adult drug treatment courts, and two children or juvenile drug treatment programmes.
“The OAS looks forward to supporting the Government of Jamaica and other OAS member States as they explore new approaches to deal with drug-dependent offenders within the justice system, and as they aim for the ultimate goal to significantly reduce crime, promote citizen security, reduce prison populations and reduce the risk of relapse into drug use,” she said.
Ms. van Glaanen Weygel added that the OAS is now exploring establishing community courts and the expansion of juvenile DTCs in the region, with the help of the Canadian Government.
In the meantime, Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck, pledged the Government’s continued commitment to the drug treatment court.
He further thanked all the local and international partners, including the OAS, Government of Canada, CARICOM Secretariat, the Regional and Jamaican judiciaries, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of National Security, and the National Council on Drug Abuse for their assistance in the establishment and sustenance of the programme.

Carnival Fascination docks after Hurricane Irma

Carnival Fascination

Carnival Fascination docks at Port Zante two days after passage of Hurricane Irma.

Business continued as usual after the passage of Hurricane Irma, as Carnival Fascination, part of the Carnival Cruise Line, docked at Port Zante in Basseterre as scheduled on September 08.
St. Kitts and Nevis was fortunate to escape the full brunt of Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 Hurricane packing winds of 185 miles per hour (mph). Following the passage of the hurricane, it was reported that there was no loss of life or injury attributed to Irma. However, several homes suffered damage, trees were felled and utility poles and powerlines were downed.
The relevant authorities have been working to restore all the essential services including water and power. Water has been restored to more than 90 percent of the country and several communities have already regained electricity. Government offices and businesses have resumed their operations.
The visit of Carnival Fascination comes not only at a time after the passage of Hurricane Irma, but at what is considered the slow tourism season, which has seen a ship in port almost every week.
A sense of normalcy is returning to the country made evident by the docking of the cruise liner.
Carnival Fascination has a guest capacity of 2594. The ship is the fourth of eight Fantasy-class cruise ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival recently gave Fascination a multi-million dollar makeover complete with a WaterWorks aqua park, the adult-only Serenity retreat, and new dining options in the poolside restaurant featuring custom-designed Mongolian wok stir fry. Ninety-eight balcony staterooms were also added and several suites were fitted with larger, extended balconies.
The cruise ship made its way from San Juan to Barbados, St. Lucia to St. Kitts. It will skip St. Martin because of the damage from Hurricane Irma and then traverse back to San Juan.

IMF expresses sympathy to countries affected by Hurricane Irma

Christine Lagarde - IMF Managing Director
Christine Lagarde - IMF Managing Director

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde Expresses Sympathy to Countries Affected by Hurricane Irma.

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today:
“I would like to express our deep concern and sympathy for the countries affected by Hurricane Irma—one of the strongest Atlantic storms ever. Several islands in the region have already suffered terrible damage from the storm, and others are still in its path. We are very saddened by the reports of lives lost and widespread destruction.
“The Fund stands ready to help its member countries as they deal with the aftermath of this catastrophe including, if needed, financial support from our rapid financing facilities.”

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