CDERACDERAThe Caribbean DisasterEmergency Response Agency

Managing Disaster with Preparedness

National Consultation on Shelter Management

St. Kitts & NevisMarch 20 – 21, 2001

Presented by:Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency – (CDERA)

Managing Disasters with Preparedness

Assessment of the Shelter Programme

in Saint Kitts and Nevis

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Terms of Reference

Assessment of Shelter Initiatives in St.Kitts and Nevis

• Discussions with national and local entities to determine status

• Visit sample of designated shelters

• Review documents e.g National

• Disaster plan, Legislation other docs

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Outputs of Assessment

• Information on current status

• Shelter management issues

• Recommendations for development and implementation of programme

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Methodology

• Survey instrument designed

• Visit to St Kitts and Nevis

• Application of questionnaire and discussions with personnel involved in programme

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings

• Shelter Body exists as a creature of NEMA

• Shelter Body includes:

- Gov’t Bodies, PWD, Community and Social Development, Lands

& Housing

- NGO – e.g Red Cross Salvation Army, Churches, Civic Groups

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Responsibility of Organisation

• Shelters and their location

• Shelter Managers

• Long and short term plans

• Training

• Administrative issues

• Security

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Sample of Shelters Visited

ST. KITTS• Stone Fort Estate• Industrial Park Day Care Centre

NEVIS• Netball Complex• Community Centre Bath

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Types of Facilities used as Shelters

• Churches / Church Halls/Basements

• Community Centres• Private buildings• Schools

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (con’t)

Shelter Capacity

Accommodation for 15 – 20persons on average

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Amenities in Shelter

• Most lacked emergency lighting

• Water

• Some have kitchen and sleeping facilities

• All had toilets

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Maintenance and Selection

• NEMA

• Assessment by shelter inspection team

• Approval for use

• All had toilets

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Maintenance and Selection

• Maintenance PWD for public buildings

• Private shelters maintained by owner

• Uncertainty re private shelter maintenance

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Provisioning of Shelters

• NEMA 72 hours after activation

• Special assistance to elderly with special

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Training

• Training done by OFDA and CDERA

• First Aid done by Red Cross

• Training provided for Volunteers of Civic groups, government bodies, private sector

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Policy and Administrative Framework

• National Disaster Plan

• Legislation

• No written Policy

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Lessons Learnt

• Buildings were designated shelters in the Alert phase

• Trained shelter mangers were unavailable during Hurricanes Georges and Lenny

• Shelter occupancy ranged from days to months

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Findings (cont’d)

Lessons Learnt cont’d

• Public awareness and education programme vital to the programme

• Community personnel must have knowledge of issues

• Politicians must be sensitized about the programme

• Basic supplies must be provided for all shelters

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Recommendations

1. Shelter retrofitting programme

2. MOU development with collaborators

3. Development and approval of shelter policy and programme

4. Formalise arrangements re shelter management personnel

Managing Disasters with Preparedness Recommendations

5. Extending of groups involved in Shelter selection team

6. Regular meetings of Shelter committee

7. Development of Shelter manual

8. Regular simulation exercises for shelter management