Systematic plan of action needed to mitigate against disasters

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - A systematic process must be put in place to ensure that there is continuous learning regarding the hazards that can affect Barbados and clear plans and appropriate actions must be outlined before disasters occur, through an effective mitigation strategy, so as to reduce the scale or severity of impacts.
This was the point made by Nicole Greenidge of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), while addressing participants gathered at a recent National Hazard Mitigation Workshop organised in Barbados by the DEM.
“Hazard Mitigation is most effective when based on inclusive, comprehensive, long term planning, that is developed before a disaster occurs. So as you realise, Barbados has some plans, some legislation. We’ve been doing things. However, we don’t yet have a systematic process for doing this,” Greenidge lamented.