1. The 2004 Hurricane Season in the Caribbean A Review of Disaster Preparedness and Response Arrangements Cletus Springer Impact Consultancy Services Incorporated

2. Purpose of Review To document and share the findings, best practice, lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations contained in select studies of disaster preparedness arrangements at the national, regional and international levels. To document and share the findings, best practice, lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations contained in select studies of disaster preparedness arrangements at the national, regional and international levels.

3. Structure of Review Summary Review of 2004 Season Summary Review of 2004 Season Early Warning Systems Early Warning Systems Emergency Response Coordination Emergency Response Coordination Disaster Relief Operations Disaster Relief Operations Damage Assessment Damage Assessment Recovery and Reconstruction Recovery and Reconstruction Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations

4. Summary of Social and Economic Impacts 2004 Season one of most active on record 2004 Season one of most active on record 14 weather systems (2 depressions, 5 storms, and 7 hurricanes 14 weather systems (2 depressions, 5 storms, and 7 hurricanes 49 lives lost 49 lives lost US$2 billion damage US$2 billion damage US$3.4 billion total economic impact US$3.4 billion total economic impact

5. Impact on Bahamas Visits by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne Visits by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne 2 lives lost 2 lives lost 3800 homes damaged mainly in Grand Bahama 3800 homes damaged mainly in Grand Bahama Total damage and losses put at US$381.5 million mainly in productive sectors, infrastructure and social sector Total damage and losses put at US$381.5 million mainly in productive sectors, infrastructure and social sector

6. Impact on Cayman Islands by Ivan 2 persons killed; 402 injured 2 persons killed; 402 injured 6000 (17% of population) displaced 6000 (17% of population) displaced Near total loss of utilities Near total loss of utilities Total impact put at CI$2.8 billion Total impact put at CI$2.8 billion 83% of damage mainly to economic and social infrastructure 83% of damage mainly to economic and social infrastructure

7. Impact on Grenada Comprehensive!! Comprehensive!! 89% of housing stock damaged; 38% badly damaged 89% of housing stock damaged; 38% badly damaged Damage to schools (EC$196M -$215M) Damage to schools (EC$196M -$215M) Damage to health facilities (EC$11M) Damage to health facilities (EC$11M) Direct and indirect damage to agriculture sector (EC$55M & EC$46M) Direct and indirect damage to agriculture sector (EC$55M & EC$46M) Losses to tourism (EC$167M) Losses to tourism (EC$167M)

8. Impact on Grenada (2) 4.75 GDP growth in 2004 before Ivan 4.75 GDP growth in 2004 before Ivan -1.4% growth (overall 6%) after Ivan -1.4% growth (overall 6%) after Ivan 31,000 workers in agriculture displaced 31,000 workers in agriculture displaced Change in central government revenues from surplus ($17M) to deficit ($54M) Change in central government revenues from surplus ($17M) to deficit ($54M)

9. Impact on Jamaica Total impact – US$595M; 63% (US$354) to physical assets; 37% (US$241M) indirect losses Total impact – US$595M; 63% (US$354) to physical assets; 37% (US$241M) indirect losses Productive sectors most affected Productive sectors most affected Housing single most affected sector Housing single most affected sector Also agriculture and livestock Also agriculture and livestock GDP growth of 2.6% before Ivan; GDP growth of 2.6% before Ivan; GDP growth of 1.9% after Ivan GDP growth of 1.9% after Ivan

10. Early Warning Systems Met services main source of early warning information Met services main source of early warning information Protocols in place for relaying met information to users Protocols in place for relaying met information to users SOPs in place SOPs in place relay ranging from swift (Bahamas) to slow (Grenada) relay ranging from swift (Bahamas) to slow (Grenada) Public not able to gain clear appreciation of impending threat Public not able to gain clear appreciation of impending threat Gaps in data due to lack of equipment Gaps in data due to lack of equipment More measurements of temperature, precipitation, oceanic conditions needed to give good understanding of present and new conditions More measurements of temperature, precipitation, oceanic conditions needed to give good understanding of present and new conditions

11. Early Warning Systems Lessons Learned EWS most effective when married to timely mitigation EWS most effective when married to timely mitigation Stronger cooperation needed between public and disaster management agencies Stronger cooperation needed between public and disaster management agencies More emphasis on monitoring hazards and downscaling More emphasis on monitoring hazards and downscaling EWS needed at community level EWS needed at community level EWS should be routinely tested EWS should be routinely tested

12. Early Warning Systems Recommendations Greater involvement of business community in disaster management Greater involvement of business community in disaster management Call to action to the public should be supported by access to damage control materials Call to action to the public should be supported by access to damage control materials Legislation to support forcible evacuation Legislation to support forcible evacuation Strengthen EWS to give better information regarding risks and risk reduction measures Strengthen EWS to give better information regarding risks and risk reduction measures Clear lines of supervision between central and community/parish authorities Clear lines of supervision between central and community/parish authorities

13. Emergency Response Coordination National Level Generally satisfactory – apart from Grenada Generally satisfactory – apart from Grenada Swift in Bahamas; early activation of laws Swift in Bahamas; early activation of laws Cayman Islands well prepared; shelters and supplies in place Cayman Islands well prepared; shelters and supplies in place Jamaica OK; aerial surveys and field reports provided Jamaica OK; aerial surveys and field reports provided Overall community level coordination lacking Overall community level coordination lacking

14. Response Coordination Lessons Learned (national) Coping capacity of DM organizations should be reexamined in light of Grenada Experience Coping capacity of DM organizations should be reexamined in light of Grenada Experience EOCs not housed in safe and secure buildings EOCs not housed in safe and secure buildings National Emergency Telecommunications Plans lacking National Emergency Telecommunications Plans lacking Growth and development of HF Communicators/groups is critical Growth and development of HF Communicators/groups is critical Formal role for regional mass media needed Formal role for regional mass media needed

15. Response Coordination Regional Level Able execution by CDERA mainly in Grenada – Level 3 response required Able execution by CDERA mainly in Grenada – Level 3 response required RRM activated RRM activated CDRU deployed but some problems experienced CDRU deployed but some problems experienced Effective coordination by CARILEC under CHAP Effective coordination by CARILEC under CHAP Early activation of Eastern Caribbean Donor Group; Flash Appeal launched Early activation of Eastern Caribbean Donor Group; Flash Appeal launched UNDAC Assessment Teams deployed UNDAC Assessment Teams deployed

16. Response Coordination Lessons Learned Core staffing of CDEA CU inadequate for Level 3 Operations Core staffing of CDEA CU inadequate for Level 3 Operations National disaster response capabilities not adequate to deal with worse case scenarios National disaster response capabilities not adequate to deal with worse case scenarios Scope for better coordination among regional and international development partners on damage assessments Scope for better coordination among regional and international development partners on damage assessments

17. Response Coordination Recommendations Strengthen capacity of DM agencies especially at community level Strengthen capacity of DM agencies especially at community level Ensure DM agencies are located in safe and secure facilities with category 5 resistance Ensure DM agencies are located in safe and secure facilities with category 5 resistance Assess adequacy of CDERA core staffing Assess adequacy of CDERA core staffing Develop emergency telecommunications plan as part of comprehensive crisis communications strategies Develop emergency telecommunications plan as part of comprehensive crisis communications strategies Agree protocols/MOU for conduct of damage assessments Agree protocols/MOU for conduct of damage assessments Speed up disaster management interventions in context of CDM Speed up disaster management interventions in context of CDM

18. Disaster Relief Operations Relief operations not always in tune with disaster management plans Relief operations not always in tune with disaster management plans Relief quickly enforced in Bahamas; SUMA quickly in place; distribution of supplies well handled Relief quickly enforced in Bahamas; SUMA quickly in place; distribution of supplies well handled Relief in Cayman good; solid private sector participation; assistance from Royal Navy Relief in Cayman good; solid private sector participation; assistance from Royal Navy Relief in Grenada affected by weaknesses in victim registration; needs identification; lapses in security and breakdown in law and order Relief in Grenada affected by weaknesses in victim registration; needs identification; lapses in security and breakdown in law and order Relief in Jamaica generally satisfactory but on-the- ground distribution slowed by lapses in communication Relief in Jamaica generally satisfactory but on-the- ground distribution slowed by lapses in communication

19. Disaster Relief Common Failings in Grenada and Jamaica Ineffective inter-agency coordination Ineffective inter-agency coordination Absence of strong leadership at community level Absence of strong leadership at community level Ineffective public information and media response Ineffective public information and media response Poor pre-positioning of resources, personnel and food Poor pre-positioning of resources, personnel and food

20. Disaster Relief Lessons Learned Operations at community level weak Operations at community level weak Continuity in Government operations should be ensured Continuity in Government operations should be ensured Critical facilities should be built to withstand category 5 hurricanes Critical facilities should be built to withstand category 5 hurricanes

21. Disaster Relief Recommendations Stronger appreciation and stronger focus on potential hazards needed Stronger appreciation and stronger focus on potential hazards needed Strengthen central disaster management emergency operations Strengthen central disaster management emergency operations Clearer lines of command to facilitate prompter response and minimize suffering Clearer lines of command to facilitate prompter response and minimize suffering Enshrine in law responsibilities of DM agencies Enshrine in law responsibilities of DM agencies Require all Ministries to DM plans with damage assessment and recovery components Require all Ministries to DM plans with damage assessment and recovery components Execute regular simulation exercises in an integrated manner Execute regular simulation exercises in an integrated manner Revamp data collection and management systems Revamp data collection and management systems Strengthen emergency planning processes Strengthen emergency planning processes Strengthen CDRU Strengthen CDRU Implement PEA to support DM at community level Implement PEA to support DM at community level

22. Damage Assessments Micro-level assessments affected by: Micro-level assessments affected by: –Lack of effective coordination, communication and collaboration –Lack of consistency and standardization in assessment methodologies and procedures –Lack of trained and competent assessors –Lack of baseline data –Inadequate information dissemination

23. Damage Assessments Macro-level Quick, fairly comprehensive and useful Quick, fairly comprehensive and useful UNECLAC methodology used UNECLAC methodology used Sector by sector analysis of direct and indirect impact Sector by sector analysis of direct and indirect impact Overall computation: Overall computation: –Detailed assessment of situation before, –Project macro-economic without –Estimated economic performance due to direct and indirect costs of disasters

24. Limitations of Reports Methodology does not allow comprehensive/all encompassing analysis Methodology does not allow comprehensive/all encompassing analysis Does not allow detailed socio-economic assessments of safety nets that will be needed Does not allow detailed socio-economic assessments of safety nets that will be needed Vulnerability of productive sectors limited to their own capital stock Vulnerability of productive sectors limited to their own capital stock Absence of quantitative analysis on the informal sector and damage to environmental assets due to lack of benchmark data Absence of quantitative analysis on the informal sector and damage to environmental assets due to lack of benchmark data Stronger emphasis on cross-cutting theme of disaster and risk management Stronger emphasis on cross-cutting theme of disaster and risk management

25. Damage Assessments Lessons Learned Investments in disaster preparedness pays dividends Investments in disaster preparedness pays dividends Political/corporate will is critical to vulnerability reduction and resilience building Political/corporate will is critical to vulnerability reduction and resilience building Economic, social and environmental systems are naturally integrated Economic, social and environmental systems are naturally integrated Patterns of physical and spatial developments must be carefully considered Patterns of physical and spatial developments must be carefully considered Inadequate insurance and reinsurance weakens resilience to disasters Inadequate insurance and reinsurance weakens resilience to disasters Enforcement roles of DM agencies not captured in laws Enforcement roles of DM agencies not captured in laws Stronger focus on long term DM efforts required Stronger focus on long term DM efforts required Improved building standards and codes needed Improved building standards and codes needed Sound environmental planning and management reduces vulnerability Sound environmental planning and management reduces vulnerability

26. Damage Assessments Recommendations Extensive training of DM personnel at community level in conducting damage assessments Extensive training of DM personnel at community level in conducting damage assessments Review/strengthen macro level damage assessment methodology Review/strengthen macro level damage assessment methodology Increase support for land use and urban planning Increase support for land use and urban planning Support project identification process Support project identification process Require utilities to develop robust DM plans and restoration policies Require utilities to develop robust DM plans and restoration policies Review recommendations of CARICOM Working Party on Insurance and Reinsurance Review recommendations of CARICOM Working Party on Insurance and Reinsurance

27. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Rehabilitation Rehabilitation –Focus on normalizing living conditions –Providing food, water and medical attention –Restoring utilities –Assisting with housing repair –Disproportionate burden carried by women and children

28. Rehabilitation Lessons Learned Development assistance should aim to reduce vulnerability of social and economic infrastructure Development assistance should aim to reduce vulnerability of social and economic infrastructure

29. Reconstruction Aim to reduce direct and indirect losses while reducing vulnerability to future events Aim to reduce direct and indirect losses while reducing vulnerability to future events Rebuilding livelihoods Rebuilding livelihoods Retrofitting critical facilities Retrofitting critical facilities Rebuilding homes Rebuilding homes Need for longer term developmental approach to reconstruction after disasters Need for longer term developmental approach to reconstruction after disasters Need to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to future disasters Need to build resilience and reduce vulnerability to future disasters

30. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Consciously consider vulnerability of social and economic sectors Consciously consider vulnerability of social and economic sectors Look for: Look for: –Hazards that threaten sectors and services –Weak links –Damage that can be done –Investments in mitigation

31. Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Recommendations Introduce innovate instruments for risk transfer and reduction to lower cost of insurance Introduce innovate instruments for risk transfer and reduction to lower cost of insurance Consider pooled insurance mechanisms Consider pooled insurance mechanisms Design and implement development policies and programmes that make the best use of hurricane free years to build economic resilience and social cohesion Design and implement development policies and programmes that make the best use of hurricane free years to build economic resilience and social cohesion

32. Conclusion Hurricane –related damage can be significantly reduced Hurricane –related damage can be significantly reduced Significant investments already made Significant investments already made Greater consistency and resolve required Greater consistency and resolve required

33. Conclusion Experience is not what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you A crisis is a terrible thing to waste THANK YOU!!!