NEMA stands ready to assist in Haiti relief effort

(BIS) - A delegation from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, CDEMA, will visit Haiti on Friday (January 15, 2010) to assess the destruction caused by the earthquake, which struck that island nation on Tuesday.

Once that is done, CDEMA will advise its members, one being The Bahamas, as how best to assist in the massive relief effort.

Captain Stephen Russell, director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said Thursday that a request has been made for NEMA to send three representatives on a rotation basis, to Haiti as part of the regional relief effort.

Meanwhile members of the Bahamian public are being advised to deposit funds into an account opened by members of the Clearing Banks Association, in aid of the Haiti relief effort.

Captain Russell also said that Pastor Myles Munroe of Bahamas Faith Ministries has offered his church on Carmichael Road, as a depot for food, clothes and water to be stored and then shipped to Haiti.  

Volunteers in the engineering, medical and counseling professions are asked to contact NEMA at 322-6081/5, to find out how their services can be utilized in the relief effort.

Captain Russell announced that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has two platoons on standby along with the vessels HMBS Bahamas and HMBS Nassau, to be deployed to Haiti with supplies.
 

“NEMA has also contracted the services of the cargo vessels to transport supplies to the area, once NEMA receives confirmation from CDEMA,” Captain Russell said.

The Bahamas, as a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is also a member of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, (CDEMA) formerly known as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency, CDERA. The name was officially changed on September 1, 2009.  

CDEMA will replace and advance the work of CDERA. It will fully embrace the principles and practice of Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM), which is an integrated and proactive approach to disaster management. CDM Seeks to reduce the risk and loss associated with natural and technological hazards and the effects of climate change to enhance regional sustainable development.

The expanded mandate of CDEMA positions the regional disaster management body more strategically to fully take up its role as facilitator, driver, coordinator and motivating force for the promotion and engineering of CDM in all participating states.