St. Elizabeth Shelter Managers Discuss Strategies to Safeguard Communities
By: , July 5, 2024
Photo: Okoye Henry
Senior Director of Hazard Mitigation and Risk Management in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Patrick Watson, addresses a Shelter Management Conference held at St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on Wednesday (June 26).
Photo: Okoye Henry
Shelter managers and other stakeholders participate in a Shelter Management Conference held at St. Matthew's Anglican Church in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, on Wednesday (June 26).The Full Story
More than 50 shelter managers and key stakeholders across St. Elizabeth gathered to discuss strategies to safeguard communities against disaster, during a Shelter Management Conference held in Santa Cruz on Wednesday (June 26).
Held under the theme ‘Be Disaster Aware: Plan, Mitigate and Prepare’, the event focused on readiness, community engagement and the vital role that shelter managers play in disaster response.
It was aimed at boosting awareness and preparedness in light of the active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
Senior Director of Hazard Mitigation and Risk Management in the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, Patrick Watson, in pointing out the forecast for 17 to 25 named storms this season, said Jamaica’s shelters must be ready.
“It is clear that the 2024 hurricane season should not be taken lightly. For this reason, the Ministry, which has portfolio responsibility for disaster management, continues to support the municipal corporations as the local actors in taking necessary action to safeguard their respective jurisdictions,” he noted.
Mr. Watson said that municipal corporations are required to conduct comprehensive readiness exercises, including a thorough assessment of emergency operation centres, shelters, shelter management capabilities and more.
The entities must also consistently clean drains and gullies as well as carry out an inventory of available resources and relief supplies, he pointed out.
Mr. Watson said that transportation for evacuation, and community awareness through engagement are also critical components of the readiness exercise.
“Let us not forget that shelter managers are the focal point for disaster management in their local space; you’re like a gatekeeper for these sorts of activities. It is important to ensure that you are fully informed and prepared for the most efficient implementation of your responsibility,” he noted.
“The importance of your role will significantly increase as Jamaica continues to incorporate resilience into the national budgetary process,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, Errol Lebert, underscored the work of shelter managers as well as the importance of preparedness in light of Jamaica’s vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters.
He said that continued education and training of shelter managers are crucial in ensuring that volunteers remain relevant and necessary for effective disaster response.
“In terms of our (St. Elizabeth) preparedness, I would put us way up somewhere in the 90-percentile range in terms of the level of preparedness. We have a committee that deals with our disaster-preparedness activities, which is a joint effort among various agencies that operate in the parish,” Mr. Lebert indicated.
Shelter Manager at Braes River Primary School, Jennifer Lyons, said that the sessions at the conference were informative and motivating.
She noted that such events enhance the readiness of shelter managers to help communities stay prepared and proactive.
The conference featured presentations on disaster risk management conducted by the Jamaica Fire Brigade, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), St. Elizabeth Health Services, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation and other entities.
