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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) completed the Antigua and Barbuda National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) in partnership with the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) and the support of in-country stakeholders. The NDPBA examines each country’s unique hazard profile, cultural characteristics, geographical and geopolitical context, historical events, and other factors that could impact, both positively and negatively, a country’s ability to manage disasters. Recommendations, at strategic and tactical levels, are developed based on the findings of the assessment and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Assessment consists of two components: the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) and the Disaster Management Analysis (DMA). The RVA looks at the multi-hazard exposure, social-economic vulnerabilities, island capacities and internal and external logistics capacities. The DMA takes a qualitative approach to assess six thematic areas -- Enabling Environment; Institutional Arrangements; Disaster Governance Mechanisms; Capabilities and Resources; Capacity Development; and Communication and Information Management. The DMA results are used to contextualize the results of the RVA, providing a comprehensive understanding of the current Disaster Management landscape. In coordination with NODS, PDC leverages the assessment findings to build recommendations and a Disaster Risk Reduction 5-Year Action Plan that allows for better targeted use of limited resources and identification of additional funding opportunities.
The RVA results for Antigua and Barbuda showed that the nation faces significant impacts due to hurricane winds, coastal flooding, and earthquakes, with nearly its entire population exposed. The RVA also revealed serious vulnerabilities, especially related to critical infrastructure such as hospitals and emergency services, intensified by low resilience in densely populated areas. A high exposure of built environment and critical infrastructure to multiple hazards also highlights the urgent need for risk reduction plans and policies.
The DMA findings provide crucial insight into key areas of concern and success within Antigua and Barbuda’s disaster management framework. Although notable progress has been made in areas such as Institutional Arrangements and Engaging Stakeholders through initiatives like the Tsunami Ready Programme, additional attention is needed in aspects related to the Enabling Environment. The movement of the draft Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) policy through the legislative process would advance capacities significantly. Another opportunity for improvement would be establishing increased communication and collaboration of all government ministries and departments engaged in disaster management. Additionally, the need for an improved volunteer management system to ensure effective recruiting, training, and tracking of volunteers within the District Disaster Committees was identified. When looking at Capabilities and Resources, the area most in need of support is funding for training and increased technical staff at NODS. Furthermore, enhancing the Communication and Information Management System to support informed decision-making would improve disaster response and recovery operations.
Antigua and Barbuda faces an increased risk from climate change, and with that a need to establish a national climate and disaster risk financing strategy. Implementing the recommendations shared in this report will significantly advance Antigua and Barbuda’s preparedness and disaster management capabilities.
The NDPBA was funded by the United States Government through the US Southern Command and was conducted in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Barbados. Although NODS was PDC’s in-country partner during this project, PDC also developed relationships and with multiple government and non-governmental agencies in Antigua and Barbuda that supported the data gathering and vetting process. A complete list of PDC’s valued partners in the NDPBA effort is included in this report.
To access all findings, recommendations, and data (tabular and spatial), developed for this analysis, please visit the PDC’s DisasterAWARE platform at https://disasteraware.pdc.org/.