CDEMA: Disaster Preparedness and Response Capacity Assessment and Technical Assistance

Context and objectives

In a region with frequent category 5 hurricanes and other weather-induced disasters, preparedness and response will always be a key pillar of comprehensive DRM and disaster agencies are crucial to coordinate responses. Therefore, strengthening preparedness systems before an event occurs and strengthening the capacity of a system to effectively respond post-disaster both protects public safety, safeguards development gains and increases resilience. 

Main activities and results

• Component 1-Institutional assessment and evaluation of current architecture in the area of regional preparedness and response: This component provided an institutional assessment to determine the best organizational structure and funding model for CDEMA to provide the most effective and impactful regional public good in preparedness and response.
• Component 2-Strategic roadmap and capacity investment planning for regional response: This component provided a sustainable and implementable roadmap for systems improvement within CDEMA, and focused on preparedness and response offerings, to participating states.

An evidence-based strategic roadmap and an investment plan were designed in order to improve disaster preparedness and response. Furthermore, an institutional assessment of the National Disaster Management Organizations of Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and St Lucia, as well as CDEMA was undertaken by the World Bank and the Disaster Management Center of the University of Bournemouth (United Kingdom). This assessment determined the best organizational structure and funding model to provide the most impact in terms of preparedness and response.

Partnerships and coordination

Activities under this project were implemented by the World Bank in partnership with CDEMA and in close alignment with the work advancing under the EU's 11th EDF Intra-ACP envelope.