New standard community resilience framework in Saint Kitts-Nevis

Saint Kitts-Nevis National Disaster Management Offices (NEMA/NDMD) embarked on a re-structuring of its Community Volunteer Programme back in 2014. This process followed much reflection and evaluation of the then existing system and its ability to meet the demands of the changing environment that is also being impacted by climate related risks. In a consultation, Ms. Donna Pierre, Disaster Risk Management Specialist from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency Coordinating Unit (CDEMA CU) met with staff of both offices as well as district volunteers from St. Kitts at the NEMA Headquarters. The meetings took place from April 25th– 27th, 2017.

The proposed Community Resilience Framework (CRF) presented by the CDEMA CU was an adaptation of Dr. John Twigg’s publication titled “Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community”. A UK based professor, with close to two decades of experience in this area; Dr. Twigg provided a comprehensive outline of characteristics of a resilient community and supporting characteristics of an enabling environment under five thematic areas.

St Kitts and Nevis got the piloting started in April 2017 with Governance. In reviewing the various thematic areas this was identified as a critical starting point as Community Resilience involves the input from a wide cross section of government and non-governmental entities. Under this thematic area there were eight components of resilience. These included:

• i. Policy and political commitment
• ii. Legal and regulatory systems
• iii. Integration with development policies and planning
• iv. Integration with emergency response and recovery
• v. Institutional mechanisms, capacities and structure, allocation of responsibilities
• vi. Partnerships
• vii. Accountability and community participation
• viii. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

The proposed next steps for enhancing the Community Volunteer Programme in St. Kitts and Nevis include:

• i. Identifying the critical steps toward completing the CRF
• ii. Maximising the opportunities provided through the Country Directed Fund in providing resources
• to completing the application of the CRF
• iii. Recognising and documenting key inputs to the benefit of the Country Work Programme
• iv. Recognising and strengthening existing partnerships that may mobilise resources and advance the community resilience agenda

Appreciation for funding provided through CDEMA was expressed by the Disaster Managers who shared that they are committed to progressing the related actions that form a necessary component of the determined next steps, of the project.