Lasting solutions to earthquake preparedness sought
Earthquakes have the potential to cause more damage than any other hazard. In light of this, on Monday July 5, 2010, key stakeholders involved in earthquake safety were called to action for two days to identify the measures that must be adopted to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago can be
earthquake ready. This consultation was coordinated by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) in order to deal with the threats of earthquakes, earthquake risk reduction, the existing framework for reducing vulnerability, critical deficiencies and the way forward.
Over the two days, the nation’s earthquake risk was outlined in presentations conducted by members of the University of the West Indies such as Dr. Joan Latchman, Dr. Walter Salazar, Lloyd Lynch, Professor Jacob Opadeyi and Dr. Richard Clarke. The public sector was represented by Sheryl-Anne Haynes of the Town and Country Planning Division, Marlon Feveck of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Owen Sandy of the Tobago Emergency Management Agency and Colonel (Ret’d) George Robinson of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management.
The private sector was represented by Mark Francois of BBFL Consultants. At the end of these presentations, the more than 100 participants present, provided recommendations for the way forward in order to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is ready for the next large earthquake.
To formally open this Consultation on Monday, July 5, the Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies St. Augustine, Professor Clement Sankat stated that “this National Consultation on Earthquake Safety in Trinidad and Tobago is an important step as we seek to enhance our capacity for disaster mitigation. For the holistic development of our country and our region and for the benefit and well being of our people, we do need to work consistently at reducing our vulnerability to natural hazards.”
Colonel (Ret’d) George Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the ODPM also supported PVC Professor Sankat’s statements. He affirmed that “seismic risk reduction is a complex challenge requiring input from many technical and policy disciplines working together to understand the complex issues associated with earthquakes. Seismic risk reduction requires a problem-focused rather than discipline specific approach to cut across political, social and technological boundaries to find lasting solutions”.
Mr. Joseph Howard, Deputy Permanent Secretary, who delivered the Keynote Address on behalf of the Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs, reminded participants that “successful integration of disaster risk reduction into our sustainable development framework must be predicated on a community-based approach. It is critical therefore to ensure active participation of people at the community level in the conceptualization, design and implementation of measures in the disaster management and planning process.”
This consultation is one of many which will be held in the upcoming months, all with the intention of ensuring that there is discussion and meaningful debate as we aim to reduce the risks associated with hazards in Trinidad and Tobago.
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CREDITS:
- Story by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM)
- Photo by taigasylvan