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MOU Signed To Enhance Cooperation On Integrated Disaster Risk Management

A new landmark agreement to enhance cooperation on integrated disaster risk management was signed today between the European Union and national and regional actors.

Development of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was led by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Department, and supported by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. It brought together governmental, inter-governmental, and non-governmental organisations for negotiations, starting in 2023.

Shortly before the signing, Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, told the gathering that effective disaster risk management contributes to sustainable development, and the reduction of disaster risk may be considered as a cost-effective investment in preventing future losses.

“Barbados and by extension the entire region welcome the accelerated international cooperation to advance our disaster risk management and resilience agendas. The European Union has a wealth of experience, expertise, and resources in disaster management, emergency response mechanisms, capacity building and early warning systems.

“Similarly, the LAC (Latin America and Caribbean) region possesses invaluable knowledge and insights garnered from years of grappling with disasters. By pooling strengths and sharing best practices with the European Union, Barbados and the Caribbean neighbours all stand to benefit significantly from these lessons learnt over time,” Mr. Abrahams stated.

He noted that the EU has signalled its intention to invest over US$47 million in humanitarian aid to enhance disaster preparedness in Latin America and the Caribbean region. He added that the money was intended to address urgent humanitarian needs across the region resulting from natural hazards, health emergencies, and other forms of emergencies.

Mr. Abrahams said Barbados supports the strengthening of the partnership between the EU-LAC in disaster preparedness. “It makes no sense to try to combat these challenges alone. It is just not possible…. Resulting damages and losses could extend beyond the ability of a single country or region to respond and recover effectively…. Collaborations, such as the EU-LAC Partnership on Disaster Preparedness, are therefore crucial to efforts at enhancing national safety and security while building resilience to hazards and disasters.

“The European Union and countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have come together in a shared commitment to mitigate the impact of disasters and build more resilient communities. This allows us to share best practices and experiences in disaster preparedness and building resilience, which must now become the new normal for countries battling worsening climate crises and other hazard-induced disasters,” he contended.

Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Abrahams, in conversation with Chairman of CDEMA and Saint Lucia’s Minister of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Shawn Edward, and Executive Director of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley a today’s signing ceremony.

The Minister expressed the view that countries must recognise the importance of the integration of resilience in the wider national, regional, and global space to facilitate true transformation to a resilient state.

He proffered the view that they must seek to establish best practices and apply lessons learned and technological innovations to empower communities, businesses, and individuals to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from these hazards.

Implementation of the MoU will enhance collaboration to support countries in their efforts to build whole-of-society disaster resilience, reduce disaster risks, and impacts, and therefore contribute to prosperity and well-being towards a sustainable future.

During the 2023 negotiations, the Latin America and the Caribbean region was represented by four leading inter-governmental organisations – the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Disasters in Central America and the Dominican Republic; the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (under CARICOM); the General Secretariat for the Andean Community of Nations; and the Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities for Integrated Risk Management of the South American Common Market.

Chile, Cuba, and Mexico also joined as signatories to the agreement. Today’s signing event, held at Savannah Hotel, brought together ministers, national authorities, high-level representatives from the EU, inter-governmental agencies, United Nations agencies, and regional partners, among others. (PR/GIS)

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One Family hamper drive gets $75,000 boost from Sandy Lane Charitable Trust

Christmas 2024 just got a lot brighter for the 1000 families of the One Family programme under the Ministry of People Empowerment & Elder Affairs (MPEA), thanks to a donation of BBD. 75,000.00 worth of grocery hampers from the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT).

Representatives of SLCT, including Derrick Smith, Grand Patron and founding Trustee, Trustee Pippa Challis, and Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, were recently at One Family’s Warrens office to present the donation to the One Family Project Team. Present to receive the donation were Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel and Project Officer Lisa Holder.

Minister Humphrey commended SLCT and thanked its Board of Trustees for their ongoing work in Barbados, and specifically with his Ministry, noting that such partnerships could help break cycles of generational poverty in Barbados.

“The government of Barbados is passionate about the objectives of this One Family project, and we believe in what we are doing. We see One Family as the first initiative with the potential to break the inter-generational cycles of poverty, a purpose and objective that traditional government agencies were not designed for. Traditional approaches have not been holistic enough, and One Family gives the first real opportunity to break that poverty exchange between generations,” Minister Humphrey said.

Commenting in response, Trustee Pippa Challis said SLCT was pleased with the ongoing amazing partnership with MPEA. She said One Family had positively impacted SLCT’s work regarding due diligence and background investigations necessary to make the outreach work more effective.

“Our partnership with the One Family Programme Team is truly beneficial to both organisations, as we work towards one common goal of achieving social change. Our ability to rely on the One Family team to provide accurate, timely and reliable information means that our assistance can reach the most deserving families. Whether it is providing beds, back-to-school supplies or food vouchers, we know that we are reaching the right families. That’s why this collaboration works for us, as much as it works for you.” Mrs Challis, further commends the team on their success with the programme thus far and the amazing job they are doing.

One Family Project Manager, Nicole Daniel, said the SLCT donation would significantly boost this year’s hamper donation drive, bringing much-needed supplies and tangible Christmas cheer to the 1,000 families and hundreds of children currently served by the Programme.

“One Family is not a hand-out programme but concentrates on holistic transformation to help every family reach a stage where they can give back to their communities and Barbados.” (PR)

Caption: Pictured from left are SLCT Project Coordinator-Administrator Nekei Grant, One Family Project Officer Lisa Holder, SLCT Trustee Pippa Challis, Derrick Smith, SLCT Grand Patron and founding Trustee, People Empowerment Minister, the Hon. Kirk Humphrey, Permanent Secretary Jehu Wiltshire, and Social Development Project Manager Nicole Daniel.

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Men’s programmes lighting the way with support from Light & Power

Barbadian men are stepping up to mentor and inspire a new generation of male leaders to reach their full potential and light the path to a brighter future.

On International Men’s Day recently, two such organisations were recognised and supported with financial donations from the Barbados Light & Power Company (Light & Power). The Rites of Passage: Boys to Men program, led by Anthony Seale and Reverend Derick Richards of the James Street, Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church, and the Purpose 180 Foundation, founded by Nigel Jules, were both lauded for their contributions during a presentation held at Light & Power’s Garrison, St. Michael Headquarters. Both organisations spoke about the impactful initiatives they have established to support young men in Barbados.

Light & Power said it was pleased to support programs focused on mentoring and uplifting at-risk young men.

“These programs are crucial in empowering young men to reach their full potential, and Light & Power is pleased to support and partner with initiatives like Rites of Passage and Purpose 180 that actively work to create brighter futures for the next generation of young male leaders.”

Both programs focus on mentorship, character building, and equipping young men with tools to overcome challenges and achieve personal and professional growth. (PR)

Caption: Light & Power employees, including at left, Communications Advisor Adriel Richard, and to the right, Chano Belle, Manager, Finance (Supply Chain) and Curtis Brewster, Supervisor, Dispatch and Quality Control, with visiting organisation representatives Nigel Jules of the Purpose 180 Foundation (second from left), and Reverend Derick Richards and Anthony Seale of the “Rites of Passage: Boys to Men (BTM) programme” of the James Street/Speightstown Circuit of the Methodist Church in Barbados (at centre)

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Yearwood wins first 5k Run/Walk

Kristian Yearwood won the inaugural 5k Run/Walk to Help 5k held on Sunday. He clocked 21:36 in the running race, 2nd place went to Ralf Luther in a time of 22:05, followed by Fr. Andy Nyga in 3^rd with a time of 23:40. The top three runners in the female segment were Adeline Lamorell,27:17, Phillipa Sylvester, 30:46 and Sumaya Desai, 47:22.

The event was organized by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgetown and is a fund raiser for church’s ministry to the poor in our community as well as to assist the Child Card Board. What started last year as a fun walk now features competitive 5k races in running and walking. The blend of race running and walking along with fun walking should see the event attacking a cross section of participants.

Anderson Maughan was the winner in the walk race in the male segment with a time of 30:59, he was followed by Anthony Phillips in 34:50 and Akil Bryan in 37:40. Angela Jackson crossed the line in 36:31 to win the female walk race she was followed by Fay Waithe in 40:42 and third place was taken by Mary Moseley in 41:57.