CDMP Papers and Publications

Note: Documents produced by the Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project may be freely reproduced or quoted, provided that credit is given to the Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment of the Organization of American States and to the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Higher resolution USAID and OAS logos are available if needed for reprinting or distribution of these documents. Development of these documents were made possible through the support provided by the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance, Bureau of Humanitarian Response, U. S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No. 940-1008-A-00-3522-00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Policy

• Natural Hazards and Economic Development: Policy Considerations (April 1999). (HTML 50k)
• Disaster Risk Reduction as a Development Strategy (April 1993). This paper was originally given by Jan Vermeiren at the 1993 National Hurricane Conference. (HTML 15k)
• Natural Disasters: Linking Economics with the Environment with a Vengeance (November 1989). This paper was originally given by Jan Vermeiren at the Conference on Economics and the Environment, sponsored by the Caribbean Conservation Association. (HTML 53k)
• Disaster, Planning and Development: Managing Natural Hazards to Reduce Loss (1990) (HTML 2Mb)
• Primer on Natural Hazard Management in Integrated Regional Development Planning (1991) (HTML 7.7Mb)
• Costs and Benefits of Hazard Mitigation for Building and Infrastructure Development: A Case Study in Small Island Developing States (May 1998). This paper was developed for presentation at the 1998 conference of The International Emergency Management Society. (HTML 72k)
• The Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project: Technical Assistance for Natural Disaster Management at the Regional Scale (December 1995). This document describes the origins of the Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project. (HTML 35k)

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Hazard Assessment

Storm Hazards: General

• Engaging Planners and Investors in the Assessment of Storm Risk in Jamaica. (1995) This paper was originally given at the 1995 conference of the American Meteorology Society. 4 pages. (HTML 16k)
• Tropical Cyclone Forecasting. (1998) This document was produced by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology. (HTML 66k) | Powerpoint presentation (85k)
• Impacts of Tropical Cyclones: (HTML 16k) | Powerpoint Presentation (47k)
• Use of Storm Hazard Mapping in Development Planning (1999) This paper describes the use of hazard information to guide development decision making, using storm hazard information as a case study. (HTML 9k)
• Report on Proceedings of Workshop on the Interpretation, Application and Institutionalization of Storm Surge Maps in the Development Process (1995) (HTML 35k)

Storm Hazards: TAOS Descriptions

• New Technology for Improved Storm Risk Assessment in the Caribbean. (1994) This paper was originally written in 1994. It was the first description of the TAOS model. (HTML 39k)
• The Arbiter of Storms: A High Resolution, GIS Based System for Integrated Storm Hazard Modeling. December 1995. Not available in electronic form.
• A technical description of the TAOS model is available in the document Design, Implementation and Operation of a Modular Integrated Tropical Cyclone Hazard Model. (HTML 75k)
• The statistical approach to return period estimation is discussed in detail in the document Hurricane Return Period Estimation. (HTML 50k)

Storm Hazards: TAOS Applications

• Caribbean Region: Atlas of Probable Storm Effects in the Caribbean Sea. April 2000. This atlas is available in MS PowerPoint format. It is divided into 21 parts, for a total of 18 Mb. Due to its size, it is distributed on CD only (final CDMP CD or from CIMH).
• Belize: Storm Hazard Assessment for Belize. November 1995, 25 pages, color. Not available in electronic format.
• Dominica: Wave hazard Assessment for Selected Sites on the West Coast of Dominica (1996) A demonstration of the predictive power of the TAOS model on a complicated shoreline, with maps and diagrams. (HTML in eleven parts. The first page is 42k)
• Jamaica:
  1. Storm Surge Hazard Mapping for Montego Bay, Jamaica. (1999) HTML 550k. An Executive Summary is also available. HTML 115k
  2. Caribbean Storm Surge Return Periods: Final Report of a Case Study for Montego Bay. (1997) HTML 120k.
  3. Return Period Estimation of Hurricane Perils in the Caribbean (1999) HTML 385k
  4. Report on Proceedings of Workshop on the Interpretation, Application and Institutionalization of Storm Surge Maps in the Development Process (1995) This workshop was held in Kingston Jamaica in November 1995 to discuss the application of storm hazard maps for Montego Bay, Jamaica. HTML 33k.

Kingston Jamaica Multi-hazard Assessment

• Kingston Metropolitan Area Seismic Hazard Assessment: Final Report, 1999. (5 sections plus appendices, HTML 1,300k total) or Executive Summary and Conclusions only (HTML 25k).
• Landslide Susceptibility Maps for the Kingston Metropolitan Area, with notes on their use (HTML 100k).
• Landslide Loss Reduction: A Guide for Kingston Metropolitan Area, Jamaica (HTML 133k).
• Landslide Hazard Assessment Field Guide (HTML 30k)
• Interest in landslide hazard information-parallels between Kingston, Jamaica and the San Francisco Bay Region (HTML 25k)
• Return Period Estimation of Hurricane Perils in the Caribbean (1999) HTML 385k.

Other Hazard Assessment

• Investigations of the Belize River: Modeling Flow Overland to the Macal Tributary. November 1999. (HTML 900k)

Vulnerability Assessment

• Hazard Mitigation and Vulnerability Assessment for Jeremie, Haiti (HTML in 3 parts: executive summary 270k; main report 500k; appendices 200k; photo inventory 2,500k)
• A Probable Maximum Loss Study of Critical Infrastructure in Three Caribbean Island States (HTML 660k total) | Appendices (multiple formats)
• Vulnerability Assessment of Shelters in the Eastern Caribbean. See the Schools and Shelters section below for more information.

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Housing and Construction

Safer Construction Guidance Documents

• Diagrams for the OECS Building Guidelines. 1999. Document is in 8 sections [HTML, 2,875k total]. AutoCAD drawing files are also available for download through this document [.ZIP files containing DWG format AutoCAD files, 2,235k total].
• Reference Criteria for Consulting Services for Infrastructure Projects: Executive Summary and Part 1: Guidelines for Owners [HTML 66k], Part 2: Guidelines for Maintenance [HTML 13k], Part 3: Notes for the Consulting Engineer [HTML 14k], Appendices [HTML, multiple parts total 850k]
• Hurricane Resistant Home Improvement Program: Toolkit. Revised December 1999. [HTML 75k]. Individual appendices are also available for download: Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire [HTML | PDF]. Appendix B: Loan Application Form [HTML | PDF]. Appendix C: Loan statistical Summary [HTML | PDF]. Appendix D: Project Estimate Form [HTML | PDF]. Appendix E: Loan Decision Form [HTML | PDF]. Appendix F: Loan Arrears Report [HTML | PDF]. Appendix G: Minimum Standards Checklist [HTML | PDF]. Appendix H: Easy Guide Checklist for Retrofitting Modest Homes [HTML | PDF]. Appendix I: Technical Booklet - Make the Right Connections [HTML]
• CHA/CTO Hurricane Procedures Manual: June 1998. [HTML, 3 section 745k total.]
• Basic Minimum Standards for Retrofitting. May 1997. (HTML 700k)
• Safer Building Toolkit for Credit Unions. December 1998. (HTML 160k).
• Make the Right Connections. A Manual on Safe Construction Techniques. November 1995. Available in HTML (30 individual pages, each approx 35k) and Microsoft PowerPoint97 format (large: 2.6mb).

Safer Construction Studies and Policy Documents

• Proceedings of the 1999 Workshop on the CDMP Hurricane-resistant Home Improvement Program. December 1999. (HTML 115k)
• Buildings and Infrastructure Project: A Case Study of Caribbean Infrastructure Projects that have Failed Due to the Effects of Natural Hazards. (HTML 195k)
• Cost/Benefits of Disaster Mitigation in the Construction Industry. A Case Study. January 1995. (HTML 42k).
• Estimation of Building Damage as a Result of Hurricanes in the Caribbean (A Primer). June 1996 (HTML 325k).
• Building for Safety in Hazardous Areas. This document was written by Jinx Parker and originally produced in 1982, to accompany the USAID-produced video, "Building for Safety." (HTML 25k).
• Building Codes: The Failure of Public Policy to Institutionalize Good Practice.This document was written by Jinx Parker and originally published in Environmental and Urban Issues (Vol XXI, No 4, Summer 1994). (HTML 9k).

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Insurance and Reinsurance

• Insurance, Reinsurance and Catastrophe Protection in the Caribbean. May 1996 (HTML 186k).
• Risk Transfer and Finance Experience in the Caribbean. March 2000 (HTML 40k).

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Lifeline Infrastructure

• Manual for Caribbean Electric Utilities Addressing the Issue of the Mitigation of Damage caused by Natural Hazards to Civil Works. September 1996. (HTML 150k).
• Hurricane Vulnerability and Risk Analysis of the VINLEC Transmission and Distribution System. July 1996. [HTML 1200k]
• Natural Hazards Vulnerability of the Dominica Hydroelectric Expansion Project. [HTML 1,600k]
• Vulnerability Audit. St. Lucia Electricity Services Ltd. Inception Report [HTML 560k] and Final Report [HTML 750k]
• Case Study of the Effects of Hurricane Luis on the Buildings and other Structures of the Electricity Sector of the Antigua Public Utilities Authority. February 1996. (HTML 840k)

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Schools and Shelters

• Maintenance Manual for School Buildings in the Caribbean — a manual to assist in designing a school maintenance plan to ensure that school buildings remain hazard resistant. Produced by the CDMP and the OAS Natural Hazards Project, with joint funding by USAID and ECHO. March 1998 [HTML 86k.]
• Survey forms for assessing the vulnerability of school buildings to natural hazards: Seismic Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Forms: Part I. [HTML 12k.] and Part II. [HTML 47k.]. Wind Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Form. [HTML 16k.]
• Vulnerability Assessment of Shelters in the Eastern Caribbean — a manual containing Consultant Terms of Reference, Retrofit Standards and Global Estimates for Retrofit of Schools and Shelters. Produced by the CDMP and the OAS Natural Hazards project, with joint funding by USAID and ECHO. October 1998 [HTML 100k]. Also available are individual reports on the vulnerability assessments conducted for schools in Anguilla [HTML 80k], Antigua [HTML 175k], Dominica [HTML 120k], Grenada [HTML 200k] and St. Kitts [HTML 175k].
• National plans to reduce the vulnerability of school buildings to natural hazards were developed by Antigua and Barbuda [HTML 120k], Dominica [HTML 175k] and St. Kitts & Nevis [HTML 75k].

Natural Hazard Mitigation: Mitigation Planning

• Planning to Mitigate the Impacts of Natural Hazards in the Caribbean — a mitigation planning manual produced by CDMP, October 1997. [Acrobat 353k. Also available in MSWord97 format (250k).]
  • Mitigation Planning Manual Appendix: Natural Hazards in the Caribbean. 11 pages. [Acrobat 41k. Also available in MSWord format (82k).]
  • Mitigation Planning Manual: Natural Hazard References. 4 pages. [HTML 9k. Also available in MSWord97 format (29k).]
  • Mitigation Planning Manual: Tools and Techniques (based upon the US experience). 9 pages. [Acrobat 55k. Also available in MSWord97 format (79k).]
  • Mitigation Planning Manual: Glossary. 4 pages. [HTML 9k. Also available in MSWord97 format (35k).]
  • Mitigation Planning Manual: Self Appraisal Checklist. 7 pages. [Acrobat 36k. Also available in MSWord97 format (89k).]
  • Hazard Mitigation Planning: Flowchart. [HTML 21k]
• The Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project: Supporting Sustainable Responses to Natural Hazards — this paper describes the CDMP mitigation planning process and includes a section on the use of geographic information systems in hazard mitigation planning. 9 pages. [HTML 27k. Also available in Acrobat format (92k).]

Project Documents

• Final USAID/OFDA Evaluation of the Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project: Executive Summary. July 1999. [HTML 29k.]
• Final OAS Report on the CDMP. [HTML 40k] | Final Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix. [HTML 50k—best printed in landscape mode] | Quarterly Report Archive [HTML 4k]
• CDMP Project Display: Left Panel | Center Panel | Right Panel. September 1999. [Acrobat 1.6 Mb | 1.3 Mb | 1.7 Mb]

Downloadable CDMP Reports and Documents

Documents are provided in one or more of the following formats: HTML, Acrobat (Adobe's Portable Document Format--PDF) and Microsoft Word 97.  Acrobat viewers are available at http://www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.