Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation in St. Kitts and Nevis Funded by a special appropriation by the U.S. Congress to countries affected by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch, through USAID/Jamaica

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Roundtable Objectives OAS hazard mitigation philosophy Introduce Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation project Design local project management arrangements Draft a project agreement between the OAS and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Outline draft workplan for start-up period

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Hazard Mitigation Philosophy Natural hazards are an integral part of development Poorly planned or executed development contributes to physical vulnerability and disaster loss Conversely, effective disaster loss reduction is best achieved as part of well-designed and executed development plans and investment projects

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Development as Contributing Factor to Hazard Risk Site Vulnerability –Location in hazardous area without adequate protection Structural Vulnerability –Inadequate design, standards, maintenance Loss of Natural Protection –Deforestation, loss of reefs and dunes

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Vulnerability as Design/ Investment Decision Photo: Tony Gibbs, CEP

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Disasters Don’t Pay: Impact versus relief Dominica: Luis and Marilyn (1995) Estimated damages in 1995: 35% of GDP Grant and loan financing pledges (including insurance payments): 38% of damages Insurance payments: 13 % of damages [Balances as of August 1996]

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Mitigation Policy Tools and Stakeholders Policy Tools –Risk Avoidance: land use regulation, financial incentives, risk information disclosure –Risk Spreading and Transfer: insurance, diversification, redundancy –Risk Reduction: retrofitting, building codes, protective works Stakeholders: Homeowners, Builders, Government, Business, Insurance, Lenders

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Hazard Mitigation Lessons Reverse vulnerability accumulation trends with policies and programs that support effective land use planning and control. Give natural hazard assessment the same importance as environmental impact assessment for major investment projects. Leverage development financing (public and private sector) to increase resilience to disasters.

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Hazard Mitigation Challenges Making Disasters a Development Issue –Recognition that investment decisions determine level of vulnerability –Understanding costs/benefits of mitigation Marketing Mitigation –Overcome misconceptions –Improve the understanding of risk posed by prevalent hazards –Develop effective alternatives to regulation

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation PGDM Project Goal To reduce the vulnerability of population and economic activities to natural hazards * through enhanced capacity for hazard mitigation * includes tropical storms and related flooding and seismic and volcanic hazards

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Project Objectives Develop and begin implementation of national hazard mitigation policy/plan. Strengthen national building code use / enforcement; improve building practices. Enhance national emergency shelter policies and programs. Increase public understanding of the need and options for hazard mitigation.

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Project Objectives (cont’d) Hazard Mitigation Committee Hazard Mitigation Policy/Plan Improved Building Practices Emergency Shelter Strengthening Public Information and Education

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Project Context and Links International Donors CIDA: ENCAPD Others CIMH Storm Hazard Mapping Fdn for National Development Housing retrofit program, safer housing roundtable US National Trust for Historic Preservation Hazard mitigation for cultural resources Government of St. Kitts and Nevis Existing policies, programs CDERA Shelter management Public awareness USAID/OAS Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Project USAID/OAS Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project Other Resources: _____________ St. Kitts/Nevis Government Agencies Training in mitigation planning, post-disaster mitigation, building inspection, hurricane preparedness OAS/WB/GEF CPACC Economic instruments Hotel/Tourism Sector Hurricane Preparedness Manual World Bank: OECS Disaster Mgmt Loans

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Project Management National Disaster Mitigation Committee OAS Project management (DC) USAID Jamaica Reporting, planning OAS St. Kitts and Nevis Local representation, government liaison, logistical support Technical assistance, project supervision, international organization liaison Local coordination Policy making, project guidance Management supervision USAIDOAS St. Kitts/Nevis

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation OAS Responsibilities Establish and maintain project work plan Technical guidance and assistance towards achieving the primary project objectives Monitor progress and participate in regular USAID planning / supervision meetings Project reporting: quarterly progress and financial reports Comply with all USAID grant requirements

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Local Coordination Responsibilities Serve as local focal point and coordinate project implementation Assist project management with identifying appropriate local capacity for contracting Arrange logistical support for project workshops/meetings, prepare minutes/reports Identify local issues affecting project Disseminate project information

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Public information Exchange of project information between participants

Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation Definitions HAZARD: probability of occurrence, within a given time period and area, of a potentially damaging phenomenon. * RISK: expected damage or loss from a given hazard. Is a function of hazard characteristics (probability, intensity, extent) and vulnerability. * VULNERABILITY: degree of loss to a given element at risk, resulting from the occurrence of a phenomenon of a given magnitude. * HAZARD MITIGATION: An activity undertaken to eliminate or reduce the degree of long term RISK to human life and property from a HAZARD. * UNDRO [now OCHA]