The President of the Council of Delegates of the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), Vice Admiral Gonzalo Rios Polastri, met with the Executive Director of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Mr. Ronald Jackson, and Staff, on the 25th November 15 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The meeting was organized to examine the potential for collaboration between CDEMA and the IADB. After a brief description of the respective organizations, mandate and associated functions, and existing relationships with organizations at the hemispheric, regional and sub-regional levels that are involved in emergency and disaster management, both parties quickly identified areas of mutual interest. Of particular importance:
a. the inter-workings of inter-agency organizations and civil-military relations;
b. natural disasters response:
i. requirements for improved collaboration and coordination among key organizations;
ii. importance to facilitate information exchanges and to build capacity; and
iii. participation in exercises and seminars.
c. search and rescue; and
d. legislation regarding the employment of the armed forces in non-traditional duties.
All concluded that the identification of these themes of common interest warranted the investigation of the potential for collaboration between the IADB and the CDEMA.
Mr. Jackson and staff were very appreciative for this visit of the IADB and were very enthusiastic regarding the potential that exists to strengthen their relationship with the IADB and as a result better support the region.