“It is vital for us to link with NaDMA, who has responsibility for the management of disasters in general,” ARD Macro Economist Planner Dr. Sylvia Charles told the meeting, which was attended by officials from ARD, NaDMA, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health and the
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

It was agreed that there is need for greater synergy among ARD, NaDMA and other agencies involved in post disaster damage and needs assessment activities.

“I applaud the initiatives of the ARD to work together with NaDMA to ensure that we have a structure for dealing with disasters, particularly now that we’re in the Hurricane Season,” said NaDMA Director, Mr. Sylvan McIntyre.

Following the passage of Hurricane Emily in July 2005, the ARD collaborated extensively with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) team that conducted the post disaster damage assessment. It became evident that Grenada did not have enough qualified persons to conduct proper assessments. The ARD subsequently collaborated with the OECS to provide a Post Disaster Damage Assessment Workshop for 25 Public Officers in November 2005, which was followed up with a ‘refresher course’ in May 2006.

NaDMA has also conducted a number of training initiatives, some of which have been facilitated by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the Economic Commission and Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the OECS.

Mr. McIntyre said comprehensive, precise damage assessment has been a challenge for Grenada and other Caribbean states, noting that inconsistencies in assessment figures presented to the international
community can tremendously affect the amount and speed at which vital assistance is provided.

He said an adhoc group, including representatives from Grenada, was put together by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) Board of Directors to prepare a post disaster model framework to be applied throughout the Caribbean states.

The model comprises three phases. Phase One occurs four to eight hours after the ‘all clear’ is given. It is a rapid assessment or situation overview of community surroundings and is to be carried out by
community personnel responsible for damage assessments.

Phase Two occurs within the first seven days after the ‘all clear’ is given, as house to house or farm to farm surveys are required where applicable. The data would be collected on a designated, standardised form by pre-selected, multi-disciplinary teams from national, community and sector representatives. Mr. McIntyre explained that more detailed information with an emphasis on quantitative rather than qualitative data would be the focus in Phase Two.

Phase Three occurs within the first 21 days following the ‘all clear’ and includes detailed assessments conducted for specific sectors. This would involve technical approaches and methodologies carried out by experts and technical staff. Mr. McIntyre explained that emphasis would be on the quantification of physical and direct damage costs and recommendations to assist the reconstruction process. These would include a detailed damage and needs assessment report, an estimate of direct costs and an estimate of the medium to long term needs.

The meeting agreed that ARD’S role in this process would be highlighted in Phase Three, as technical personnel would be expected to play a crucial role in the compilation of information and development of reconstruction strategies.