Thirty-two countries* will participate in a full-scale tsunami alert exercise in the Caribbean on 20 March 2013. The goal is to test the reaction capacity in countries of the Caribbean and adjacent regions, including the East Coast of Canada and the United States, the Gulf of Mexico and Bermuda. The exercise was organized under the auspices of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

08/06/2012 01:08 GMT

MIAMI, Florida, Aug 5, 2012 (AFP) - Tropical storm Ernesto swept by Jamaica and churned toward the Central American coast Sunday as US forecasters predicted it would gain strength in the coming days.

At 0000 GMT, the eye of the storm was located about 395 kilometers (245 miles) east of Cabo Gracias a Dios on the border between Nicaragua and Honduras, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

With top winds of 85 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour), Ernesto was moving westward at 32 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour).

Based on the latest weather forecast we anticipate that government schools will be able to open tomorrow provided that weather conditions remain stable. However weather conditions may change without notice and the public is encouraged to closely monitor public announcements until this weather system passes.

For further information contact: Simon Boxall

Published 21st May, 5:27pm

Satellite pictures show a large area of cloudiness with embedded thunderstorms moving Northeastward across the Cayman area. Weather models indicate rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches are likely during the next 24 hours with a maximum of 8 inches. Continued flooding of low lying areas is expected during the next 24 hours and residents are urged to take necessary precautions.

Published 21st May, 6:31pm

The Red Cross Shelter is now open for residents who are experiencing problems with flooding and need to temporary relocate.

The Department of Children and Family Services has confirmed reports of a couple of families from the George Town area who have already left their homes due to the flooding.

Message from the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the National Hazard Management Council, Mr. Donovan Ebanks

International Day for Disaster Reduction is celebrated each year on the 13th October. This year, the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction Secretariat has announced that the theme is: “Making Youth Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction”, with the slogan “Step up for Disaster Risk Reduction’. This is a basic call for action to all children and young people to step up to the challenge and get involved in the disaster risk reduction effort.

What is UNDAC?
The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) is part of the international emergency response system for sudden-onset emergencies.
UNDAC was created in 1993. It is designed to help the United Nations and governments of disaster-affected countries during the first phase of a sudden-onset emergency. UNDAC also assists in the coordination of incoming international relief at national level and/or at the site of the emergency.

Mapa versión en español

The annual pre-hurricane season training prepares volunteers to qualify as shelter-management team members - and, if enlisted, they will work alongside designated officials in their respective districts in Grand Cayman.

Early in the training session, Shelter Operations Subcommittee Chairperson Deanna Look Loy made clear the purpose of providing shelter during a disaster.

Period covered by this Final Report: 9 September 2008 to 9 June 2009.

Appeal target (current): CHF 2,010,991 (USD 1,828,173 or EUR 1,243,656)

Appeal coverage: 87%;

Appeal history:

- This Emergency Appeal was initially launched on a preliminary basis on 9 September 2008 for CHF 1,802,093 (USD 1,638,300 or EUR 1,115,850) for 6 months to assist 25,000 beneficiaries.

- An allocation from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) for CHF 25,000 (USD 23,809 or EUR 15,291) was made