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The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) responsible for coordination of disaster programming in all phases of the disaster management cycle, one of the essential components of this mandate relates to informing and educating the population on threats and counter disaster measures. Awareness and education on Disaster Preparedness matters helps persons to effectively prepare and respond appropriately in a timely manner. This includes training and education of all persons including the younger population.

Hence, staff of the ODM regularly engage in School visits across the island to engage and educate the youth on Disaster Management topics.

The ODM on Friday 14th June 2024 successfully hosted the inaugural Kiddies Disaster Awareness Skit Competition at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium providing the children an avenue to reinforce what they learned.

The event showcased disaster preparedness through the creativity and talents of the children from seven Primary Schools. These talented young individuals delivered some outstanding performances which aimed to bring awareness to Disaster Preparedness and highlighted the aspects of preparedness and safety when faced with various types of hazards.

The ODM hopes to make this an annual event which will allow students from other schools across the island an opportunity to participate and share information on Disaster Preparedness and awareness through drama.

On the heels of this successful event the ODM is hosting the Kiddies Disaster Preparedness Summer Club for children of the Warner, Coulibistrie, and Bellevue Chopin Primary Schools.

The objective of the Summer Club program is to provide exciting and educational activities designed to teach the young students essential disaster preparedness skills in a fun and engaging way. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, the students will learn how to be prepared, and stay safe during and after emergencies.

The ODM intends to empower the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to handle any disaster situation and resilience as a nation.

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the parents, teachers, students, partners and sponsors who have contributed to the success of these events thus far.

Partners and Sponsors: Ministry of National Security and Legal Affairs, Ministry of Education, Human Resource Planning, Vocational Training and National Excellence, Local Government Division, Government Information Service, Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services, Social Welfare Division, Senator Austelle Lockhart, IOM Dominica, Fine Foods, The Sign Man, Jays Ltd, DBS Radio, Jolly’s Pharmacy, Windsor Park Sports Stadium, Petro Caribe and Kairi FM.

1. Pay close attention to the information provided by the Dominica Meteorological Service and the Office of Disaster Management.
   Staying informed is a critical part of your preparedness activity over the next few days. Do not wait to hear intensity to prepare.
2. Take the time to check your homes – roof, windows, doors and cut overhang trees.
3. Clear drains and waterway around your home and community to reduce flooding.
4. Ensure that important documents are protected in waterproof bags or containers in the event of flooding
5. Check on your emergency kit and ensure it has the necessary supplies, medication, water, mask, sanitizer, food items and water.
6. Be mindful that flash flooding and landslides are possible during times of heavy rainfall. (Landslides are highly likely as we are coming out of a relatively dry period where grounds may be compromised or developed cracks).
7. Stay alert during times of heavy rainfall. People who live along waterways including rivers and ravines should be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings during rain events. Be ready to move to a safe area if rising water is observed.
8. People living in areas prone to landslides and falling rock should be on alert and exercise extreme caution. Seek shelter early in a safer location.
9. Use caution on water-covered roads and bridges.
10. Avoid areas subject to flash flooding.
11. Persons are strongly discouraged to avoid walking, swimming or driving through flood waters.
    Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down and 1 foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away
12. Be mindful of flying debris during times of gusty winds especially across roadways and in elevated areas.
13. Know where your emergency shelter is located make necessary plans to move to a shelter if this service is available.
14. Mariners and fisher folks are advised to keep updated on sea conditions.
    Secure fishing vessels and other equipment by Thursday night.
15. People who live on the coastlines should keep updated on sea conditions and be on the alert. Be ready to move to a safe area if rough seas and storm surge threaten your property.
16. Ensure that hurricane season plans are finalized and ready for activation to protect life, property and livelihood.
17. Be prepared for possible disruption of plans in the coming days.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed on the 13 October.
The theme for the 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is “Fighting inequality for a resilient future” and aligns with the Sendai Framework, the
international agreement to prevent and reduce losses in lives, livelihoods, economies same coin: unequal access to services, such as finance and insurance, leaves the most at risk and basic infrastructure. This year IDDRR will explore the reciprocal relationship between disasters and inequality. Inequality and disaster vulnerability are two sides of the exposed to the danger of disasters; while disaster impacts exacerbate inequalities and push the most at risk further into poverty.

Some of the messages for 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction are:
· Poverty, inequality and discrimination are causes and consequences of growing disaster risk. · Inequality creates the conditions that render people exposed and vulnerable to disasters. Disasters also disproportionately impact the poorest and most at risk people, thus worsening inequality. Reducing vulnerability to disasters requires addressing these dimensions.
· By 2030, with current climate projections, the world will face some 560 disasters per year. An additional estimated 37.6 million people will be living in conditions of extreme poverty due to the impacts of climate change and disasters by 2030.
A “worst case” scenario of climate change and disasters will push an additional 100.7 million into poverty by 2030.
· But there is still time to make a difference. We can curb the destructive power of hazards—in other words, stop them from turning into disasters—through careful and coordinated planning that is designed to reduce people’s exposure and vulnerability to harm.
· Continue to encourage greater investments in the collection and use of disaggregated data, both to better understand disproportionate disaster impacts and exposure, and to inform resilience-building plans.

At the ODM and nationally we are doing our part to address disaster risk and you too have a role to play.

By now… all should have made the necessary preparations for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

1. Pay close attention to the information provided by the Met Service and the ODM. We all know the uncertainty associated with forecasting intensity, movement and impact of weather systems. Staying informed is a critical part of your preparedness activity over the next few days and throughout the hurricane season.
2. Take the time to check your homes – roof, windows, doors and cut overhang trees.  Clear drains and waterway around your home.
3. Be mindful that flash flooding and landslides are possible during times of heavy rainfall. Landslides are highly likely as we are coming out of a relatively dry period where grounds may be compromised or developed cracks.
4. Stay alert during times of heavy rainfall. People who live along waterways including rivers and ravines should be vigilant and be aware of their surroundings during rain events. Be ready to move to a safe area if rising water is observed.
5. Ensure that important documents are protected in water proof containers in the event of flooding
6. Check on your emergency kit and ensure it has the necessary supplies, medication, water, mask, sanitizer among others
7. Use road ways and especially bridges with caution during the wet spells and be aware of water-covered roads and bridges.
8. Avoid areas subject to flash flooding and do not attempt to cross rivers. Just 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock you down and 1 foot of fast moving water can sweep your vehicle away
9. Be mindful of flying debris during times of gusty winds especially across road ways and in elevated areas.
10. Take the time to know where your emergency shelter is located
11. Make advance plans when there is a threat of severe weather.

For preparedness information go to the ODM website: odm.gov.dm | facebook page: ODMDominica1 | call ODM Telephone: (767) 266-4412 .

BE PREPARED! BE SAFE!

Contact the Office of Disaster Management for more information - 266-4412 and/or email us odm@dominica.gov.dm.

 BE PREPARED! BE SAFE!

The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season ended on November 30, 2022. Thankfully, Dominica was once again spared form any significant impact from tropical cyclones.

However, the island did not escape impact from the normal November Trough Systems. On 6 November 2022, a trough system produced in excess of 14 inches (355mm) of rainfall over the eastern section of Dominica. This high intensity rainfall resulted in flooding, landslides, loss of livelihood, damage to infrastructure and loss of a loved one.

We cannot emphasize enough that preparedness planning is not just for storms and hurricanes (i.e. tropical cyclones), but a year-round activity for all hazards. There is the need to be aware of daily weather conditions and importantly the vulnerabilities that exist in your community and even in your homes.

What can you do to reduce impact

1. Regularly inspect your home and community and take note of conditions that could become hazardous during rain or other hazard events.
2. Address critical issues where possible or seek assistance
3. Support disaster committees to create disaster plans of your community
4. Make use of trainings offered on disaster preparedness
5. Support community simulation exercises
6. Protect early warning equipment in your area

Contact the Office of Disaster Management for more information - 266-4412 and/or email us odm@dominica.gov.dm.

Visit website at: www.odm.gov.dm

Remember BE PREPARED! BE SAFE!