Barbados, Jul 6, 2005 (CDERA) -- The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has this afternoon activated its Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) to assist Jamaica as Hurricane Dennis barrels towards the member state.
The RRM was activated after consultation with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management of Jamaica.
This means that the other 15 member states of CDERA as well as organs of CARICOM stand ready to lend assistance to Jamaica should it be required.
"The RRM is a framework for member states of CDERA to assist each other in times of a disaster," Preparedness and Response Manager of CDERA, Donovan Gentles explained. "This assistance could be in the form of financial aid, personnel for technical assistance, search and rescue and damage assessment, or provision of relief supplies."
CDERA is also prepared to disburse relief supplies from its regional warehouses in Jamaica and Antigua/Barbuda should this be needed.
The Barbados-based disaster management agency is also collaborating with the North-West Caribbean Donor Group which activated its emergency response mechanism this afternoon. The group, chaired by UNDP-Jamaica comprises UN agencies, international relief agencies and non-governmental organisations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Donovan Gentles
Duty Officer / Preparedness and Response Manager
Tel: (246) 425-0386 -- 24 hour