Jamaica: 159 million for disaster risk reduction project

A total of $159 million has been allocated to the Community Based Landslide Risk Management Project in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives.

The project seeks to reduce the risk of natural disasters in vulnerable communities in Jamaica and provide an evidence based toolkit for vulnerability reduction throughout the Caribbean.

This will be done through the: identification and implementation of community based landslide risk reduction measures for four communities; development of a toolkit and short television programme on Mosaic methodology and its application; enhanced community capacity in disaster preparedness and mitigation; and conducting disaster risk management, hazard mapping and vulnerability assessments.

Anticipated targets for 2013/2014 include: finalising the toolkit adaptable to Jamaica; engage ‘Design and Supervision Engineers’ for the construction of drainage structures in the four communities; and to conduct workshops.

Physical achievements up to March 2013 include: the first draft of the regional toolkit was revised; the Jamaican toolkit was revised to include community selection, engagement, mapping and training; and four communities have been selected and the schematic drainage plan/micro mitigation has been drafted.

The project is being funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Government of Jamaica. It is being implemented by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and is expected to be completed by April 2014.