Voluntarism in Disaster Risk Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Anglophone OAS Caribbean Member States

ECPA                    

With the financial and technical assitance of the White Helmets Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of the Argentine Republic, and in cooperation with the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS), through the Risk Management and Adaptation to Climate Change Program (RISK-MACC) of the Department of Sustainable Development.

This initiative, executed through Request for Proposals (RfP), seeks to contribute to the strengthening of the institutional and human potential of the Anglophone OAS Caribbean Member States for disaster risk management, humanitarian assistance in cases of disaster or any other emergencies, and the subsequent rehabilitation phase; and disaster mitigation, prevention and preparedness. Consolidating local initiatives and establishing volunteer networks enable the implementation of rapid response, as well as the establishment of permanent prevention and training mechanisms, both for the officials of the competent national agencies –responsible for or acting as governing bodies in the field of risk management, as well as affected populations, with measures aimed at alleviating poverty, particularly among those most vulnerable.

Expected Results:
Competent institutions strengthened and trained in risk management, disaster and emergency management, as well as humanitarian assistance. Needs and capacity assessments. Regional Network of Humanitarian Volunteers further developed and strengthened: expansion and strengthening of local volunteer corps working on emergency response, and disaster mitigation and prevention, providing the most vulnerable local communities with greater capabilities to face social problems and recurring natural phenomena.

Activities:
On the basis of Training Volunteers as a cross-cutting foundation, projects will be developed through training workshops on the following topics, among others:

  • Early Warning Systems
    Community organization and voluntarism.
  • Physical and Environmental Planning
    Building Codes
    Land use planning
    Water and Sanitation
  • Disaster Response and Management
    Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (DANA)
    System for the Management of Supplies, Warehouses and Donations
    Camp and Shelter Coordination and Management
    Search and Rescue (SAR)
    Primary Health Care
    Psychological and Social Support
    Emergency Information Management and Communication in Emergencies
  • Prevention
    Training of Volunteers
    Project Design
    Food Security and Nutrition

Selected Proposals

Proposal #1: The Establishment of Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) as a Tool to Build Community Resilience in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.



Institution
Country
Amount (USD)
Proposal
OAS Note
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO)
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
$29,785.00


Proposal #2: Building a network of community volunteers via rebooting the OPDM Volunteer Programme.



Institution
Country
Amount (USD)
Proposal
OAS Note
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management
Trinidad and Tobago
$29,200.00


Proposal #3: Capacity Building in search and rescue and Disaster Risk Management



Institution
Country
Amount (USD)
Proposal
OAS Note
Office of Disaster Management
Dominica
$29,505.51