Canada: Caribbean disaster risk management fund seeks to help communities reduce risk
The Canadian High Commission is pleased to launch a first call for proposals to the Canada Caribbean Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM) Fund.
The CCDRM Fund seeks to support, on a locally responsive basis, small projects that tangibly and practically reduce risk in vulnerable communities. Community groups, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies are eligible.
Leslie John Walling, Coordinator of the Fund, described this new regional facility as "responsive, results-based and community centred. This means you tell us what the disaster risk reduction problem is in your community, and design a project to fix it. If your project proposal is approved, the CCDRM Fund will provide between 25,000 and 50,000 Canadian dollars to funding the project."
Mr. Walling reiterated that the Fund supports "results" not "activities" and that "project proponents will have to show how they helped reduce the risk to a community from a particular type of natural hazard."
Head of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Barbados, Mr. Douglas Williams, noted "people and communities are at the centre of disasters. Canada is pleased to be able to make this contribution towards assisting Caribbean communities mitigate disaster risk and in enhancing their resiliency."
Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Coordinator of CDERA, remarked “building community resilience is one of the priorities of the regional Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy which is founded on a results-based approach. The Fund’s support will allow for more involvement in addressing disaster risk management at the local level.”
This first call for proposals will run from November 3 2008 through January 15, 2009. The fund is open to organizations in 13 CARICOM member states.
Applications forms, guidance and eligibility criteria can be obtained from the CDERA website at www.cdera.org or by contacting the Fund directly at ccdrmf.cancarib@gmail.com.
For more information please contact:
Leslie John Walling, Consultant Coordinator
Canadian High Commission, Bishop's Court Hill
St. Michael, P.O. Box 404
Bridgetown, Barbados
Tel: 246-429-3550 Fax: 246-429-3876
Email: ccdrmf.cancarib@gmail.com