Dominica: Strengthening early warning system - increasing public awareness on natural hazards
ODM and UNDP collaborates on project to strengthen early warning system
#PreparedCaribbean
The Office of Disaster Management (ODM), as part of the activities geared towards building public education and awareness on natural hazards in Dominica, has created a suite of hazard awareness products which will be provided to the public over the next few months commencing this week. This project which was executed over the three month period of January to March 2020 was made possible through the support of the partnership between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA), International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and funded by European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) to strengthen Early Warning System in the Caribbean Region.
Public Education material was created in several formats including Posters, Audios, Videos and Social Media format highlighting safety and preparedness activities for hurricanes, floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. The public is also being encouraged to support evacuation orders and to protect national hazard monitoring equipment. Provision was also made for the younger population. A book was prepared for primary schools for the grades 3 to 6 group entitled “Prepare with Perrie Parrot: A Guide to Natural Hazards for Primary Schools”. Look out for more from Perrie Parrot and disaster management.
Preview of the Flood Poster and Prepare with Perrie Parrot Handbook on Natural Hazards for Primary Schools.
As the country continue to deal with the effects of COVID-19, the public must keep in mind that natural hazards such as earthquake, tsunami and volcano can occur at any time or within a short warning period and the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season is fast approaching.
The existence of such a multi-hazard risk environment emphasizes the need for continued collective action to plan and prepare, as exemplified in the fight to contain the spread of COVID-19. Continue to follow the advice of the health authorities as we all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For further information or to access these educational products to support your preparedness activities contact the ODM at 448-7777, email: odm@dominica.gov.dm or facebook: @ODMDominica1.