By Devon Evans, Freelance WriterOCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
THE SLOW pace at which universities and colleges in the Caribbean have been dealing with the important subject of disaster teaching and research is a major cause for concern within the region.
According to co-ordinator of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), Jeremy Collymore, while some efforts have been made at structuring disaster teaching and research at these tertiary institutions, the process needs to be expedited, as it is disconcertingly slow after five years since it began. He said the situation has resulted in many of the persons who are stimulated to pursue studies in disaster teaching, having to leave the region to seek training overseas.
"This situation is highly unsatisfactory in a region whose global political flagship is centred on sustainable development," he added.
Mr. Collymore made these remarks while speaking at the opening ceremony of an international training course on development and disasters at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios on Monday.
In throwing out a challenge to universities in the region to re-assess their capacity for and commitment to disaster teaching and research programmes, he said there is evidence to suggest that with a serious commitment, the institutions can make a difference.
Mr. Collymore made reference to the on-going certificate and diploma programmes at the College of the British Virgin Islands, noting that the course clearly indicated that commitment across the institution is the central ingredient for success.
Mr. Collymore said the working groups on institutionalisation of disaster teaching and research was launched some five years ago and that, despite the slow progress, CDERA sees the current training course as an activity that is a part of a larger effort to strengthen the capacity of regional educational institutions on that important subject.
In his address to the participants, drawn from various countries including 10 Caribbean states, PAHO/WHO representative, Dr. Manuel Pena, pointed to the need for contingency planning in preparing for disasters. He said this is both cost-effective and most efficient.
"Most countries and especially the health sector are still not prepared from the political, technical and economic point of view to respond effectively and efficiently to these threats," Dr. Pena said. "Preparing a country to respond adequately to these negative events is critical."
Dr. Pena said PAHO/WHO were pleased to be associated with the course, especially as it focused on health and also in view of the threat of terrorism and other negative events that seem to overwhelm the world at this time.
Also speaking at the ceremony were ODPEM deputy director-general, Paul Saunders, chief medical officer, Dr. Barry Wint, and course director, Dr. Jean-Luc Poncelet, of PAHO/WHO.
