THE UNITED States Agency for International Development (USAID) has re-affirmed its readiness to provide aid in Latin America and the Caribbean if or when a hurricane strikes this year.
The Atlantic Hurricane season begins June 1, and forecasters are predicting the number of storms that will threaten the region will be average or above average. Outlining its effort to brace for the storm season, the USAID said that it has a team of advisors based in the region, and a network of field staff that is directly linked to local communities, better enabling the agency to mount a response to natural disasters and mitigate the potential damage.
The USAID notes that it has long-standing arrangements to provide personnel training to Latin American officials involved in disaster management, search and rescue operations and fire management. The agency is sponsoring several projects in the Caribbean and Central America to promote natural hazard mitigation and early warning systems.
The agency's hurricane disaster preparations include contingencies for emergency, direct action response and ongoing risk management training programmes for Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The agency also provides year-round risk management training to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean on request, and advises on programme planning and mitigation efforts. USAID has trained staff of national disaster agencies and others involved in disaster management, with a particular focus on those who will serve as instructors in their respective count. Over the past decade USAID has trained over 20,000 participants through risk management courses. The multi-course programme teaches disaster management concepts and technical disciplines such as search and rescue and fire management.
USAID provides grants for preparedness and mitigation activities in the Caribbean and Central America. USAID has several projects focusing on community-level natural hazard mitigation, focusing on community flood mitigation, early warning systems, and community preparedness training.
The Central America Mitigation Initiative (CAMI) is a post-Hurricane Mitch programme designed to reduce the impact of natural disasters in Central America by financing activities that increase the capability of regional, national, and community authorities and organisations to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate disasters.
