Anguilla is to benefit from the posting of Mr Roger Bellers, Disaster Management Adviser for the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, to Anguilla for one year. He is the adviser for all the Overseas Territories and has visited many of them. He was recently in the Turks and Caicos Islands for more than two years and prior to that in the British Virgin Islands.

L-R: Messrs Wycliffe Richardson and Roger Bellers

Mr Bellers was introduced to members of the press by Disaster Coordinator, Wycliffe Richardson who said that he feels confident that with Roger Bellers in Anguilla the Disaster Management capabilities will be improved. He also stressed that members of the public have their part to play in preparing for disasters of all kinds.

Bellers said his position is to promote and encourage acceptable standards for disaster preparedness. He will also advise the British Government of their approach and response to disaster in any of the Overseas Territories. He noted that last year with Foreign Office support a Disaster Management Strategy was prepared in Anguilla and has been agreed in principal by the Executive Council. He will be advising on this and also the development of the Disaster Preparedness Office to strengthen the staff with the appointment of a Programme Officer, a Technical Officer and a Clerical officer.

Bellers commented, “Like all societies Anguilla is threatened by a variety of natural and man-made hazards including, but not limited to hurricanes. As a small island state it is particularly vulnerable to potential impacts. If prosperity and progress are to be protected, risks must be reduced to acceptable levels and preparedness measures in place for when hazards strike.”

He added: “I am encouraged that the Government of Anguilla is placing a renewed emphasis on disaster management and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to building Anguilla’s hazard resilience.”
Since his appointment in 2001, Mr Bellers has been stationed in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

Wycliffe Richardson noted that he works closely with the National Disaster Preparedness Committee chaired by the Governor and the first meeting will be on June 1, the official start of the hurricane season. The committee includes all the Permanent Secretaries who head sub committees as well as the Police Commissioner and a representative from the Red Cross and the Fire Department.

“I am encouraged that the Government of Anguilla is placing a renewed emphasis on disaster management,” Bellers said, “and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to building Anguilla’s hazard resilience.”

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