Head of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, based in Barbados, Jeremy Collymore, paid an official visit to Anguilla this week to look at various areas in which his organisation can continue its assistance to the island.

Elizabeth Klute and Jeremy Collymore

Mr. Collymore told a press briefing on Wednesday that he was pleased to see the very visible investment in the improvement of disaster management infrastructure in Anguilla.

“Even in my very short visit, I have had the opportunity to observe that there had been some demonstrative investments in improving the quality of the staff and the whole organisation’s enhancement from a one-man operation to a department,” he stated. “I see the efforts to structure a national programme that is inclusive, involving a number of stakeholders including the private sector and some NGOs.

“I anticipate that there will be requisite resources to sustain this very important and indispensable development.”

He said the Caribbean was now not only facing the regular hurricane hazards, but there was now a very rapid emerging consciousness of the other threats to the existence of the islands especially as tourism-driven economies. He referred to threats like climate change, earthquakes, epidemics and terrorism-related activities. He also made reference to the bird flu which he said was very rapidly changing the character of disaster management.

Mr. Collymore appeared at the press briefing along with the Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Elizabeth Klute, the DFID Adviser, Roger Bellars and Programme Officer, Susan Hodge.

While here he paid courtesy calls on Acting Governor, Stanley Reid, Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, and other Ministers, met with the National Disaster Management Committee, toured the National Emergency Operations Centre and visited several high-risk locations on the island.

Further information on Mr. Collymore’s visit and the disaster preparedness plans for Anguilla will be given later.

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