Disaster Response Structures in the Caribbean Workshop on Mental Health in Disasters Written by: Monica Zaccarelli Davoli Presented by: Nicole Wynter 24 26 April 2012
Presentation Outline Organizational Structure INTERNATIONAL REGIONAL NATIONAL Global Cluster System CDEMA & RRM 3 2 NDMS NDO 1
National
General Structure for Nat l DM n Head of Government ultimate responsibility n Member of Cabinet direct responsibility n National disaster committee or council n Highest body n Usually multi-agency, multi-sectoral, with NGOs & private sector in some cases n Divided into sub-cmt, one being health n National disaster offices
National Level Coordination The National Disaster Organization led by National Disaster Office are responsible for national coordination: 1. Through the EOC, provides centralized coordination and control of emergency/disaster response and relief operations 2. Collaborates with local, regional and international gov t and non-gov t institutions in provision of relief assistance 3. Ensures efficient movement of supplies 4. Ensures efficient assimilation and dissemination of disaster information 5. Enters into MOU with owners and suppliers of critical infrastructure
Integration of Health Sector n Presence of an organizational structure does not guarantee integration of elements within it n Example of integration: Jamaica n Health sector works closely with NDO n Role of various health units written into plans n Mental Health and Psychosocial support?
Regional Response Structure CDEMA & the Regional response Mechanism
Caribbean Disaster & Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) n CDERA est. Sept. 1991 by an Agreement of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community to be responsible for DM n Transitioned to CDEMA in September 2009 n Presently 18 Member States
CDEMA Functions (a) mobilising and coordinating disaster relief; (b) mitigating or eliminating, as far as practicable, the immediate consequences of disasters in Participating States; (c) providing immediate and coordinated response by means of emergency disaster relief to any affected Participating State; (d) securing, coordinating and providing to interested inter-governmental and nongovernmental organisations reliable and comprehensive information on disasters affecting any Participating State; (e) encouraging (i) the adoption of disaster loss reduction and mitigation policies and practices at the national and regional level; (ii) cooperative arrangements and mechanisms to facilitate the development of a culture of disaster loss reduction; and (f) coordinating the establishment, enhancement and maintenance of adequate emergency disaster response capabilities among the Participating States.
The Regional Response Mechanism Regional Coordination Centre 5-Oct-09 10
The PAHO Regional Response Team n PAHO 45 th Directing Council 2004 n Assist Governments in protecting the health of the population affected by disasters Area on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Relief
International
Global Cluster System
The Pillars of Humanitarian Reform Humanitarian Financing Adequate, Cmely and flexible financing Humanitarian CoordinaCon EffecCve leadership and coordinacon in humanitarian emergencies Cluster Approach Adequate capacity and predictable leadership in all sectors Partnership Strong consistent partnership between UN and non- UN actors (Gov t, NGOs, CBOs, etc.)
Global Cluster System n Developed to strengthen response capacity & effectiveness n Aims to streamline international humanitarian response n Organized around partnerships with major NGOs, international orgs & UN agencies collaborating at global & field levels n Defines cluster leaders
Clusters and Lead Agencies Cluster Lead Agency 1. Agriculture FAO 2. Camp coordination/management UNHCR, IOM 3. Early recovery UNDP 4. Education UNICEF/Save the children 5. Emergency shelter IFRC, UNHCR 6. Health WHO 7. Logistic WFP 8. Nutrition UNICEF 9. Protection UNHCR 10. Telecommunications OCHA/UNICEF/WFP 11. Water, sanitation and Hygiene UNICEF
Thank you