1. Introduction1
2. Goals and Objectives1
3. Workshop Description2
4. Hazard and Resource Database3
5. Outline Mitigation Plans3

1. Recommendations from Groups3

6.0 Workshop Evaluation 4

7.0 Consultants’ Recommendations 5

Appendix 1 Workshop Agenda 7

Appendix 2 List of Participants 9

Appendix 3 Availability of Hazard and Resource Data 10

Appendix 4 Mitigation Plan Outlines – Recommendations from Groups 12

Appendix 5 Workshop Evaluation 14

1. To sensitise participants to the characteristics of the natural hazards which affect Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean, and to the vulnerability of natural and human resources to these hazards;
2. To outline a common vocabulary of terms and to demonstrate basic techniques of hazard and vulnerability assessment;
3. To outline the importance of natural hazard mitigation in development planning;
4. To present the mitigation plan development process and to develop outlines of national and sectoral mitigation plans;
5. To establish a baseline of information on natural hazards and resources at risk.

• A national natural hazard mitigation plan for Antigua and Barbuda;
• A natural hazard mitigation plan for the infrastructure sector;
• A natural hazard mitigation plan for the tourism sector;
• A natural hazard mitigation plan for the health sector.

• The specific purpose of the workshop was to introduce the key agencies which are targeted to be directly involved in the process of plan development, to the fundamentals of natural hazard mitigation. It was therefore essential that participants leave with a clear understanding of the subject material. A three-day workshop is insufficient to present the subject material at the level of detail required to achieve this objective, especially as none of the participants had previous exposure to mitigation planning.

• The process of development of a mitigation plan requires not only basic understanding of the concepts, but also a high level of commitment and team-building on the part of senior technical personnel in the key agencies, the Mitigation Committee and local consultants. It is therefore imperative that all relevant personnel attend.

• Facilitators should arrive in-country one working day before the start of the workshop to ensure that all logistical arrangements are in place.

• There should be a secretariat (of one person) responsible for facilitating the needs of the workshop. Handouts should also be photocopied and distributed at the beginning of the workshop. Workshop organisers should make available note pads, transparencies, computer facilities, markers and pointers for use by participants.

• A chart of the organisational structure for plan preparation should be made available to workshop participants at the beginning of the workshop.

9.00 – 9.45 Opening Ceremony

9.45 – 9.55 Break

10.00 – 10.15 Overview

10.15 – 10.35 Hurricanes and Coastal Storms (P. Jeremiah)

10.50 – 11.10 Earthquakes and Tsunamis

11.10 – 11.30 Volcanoes

11.30 – 11.50 Flooding (P. Mullin)

11.50 – 12.10 Landslides

1.10 - 1.20 Review

1.20 – 1.40 Economic, social and environmental consequences of natural disasters

1.40 – 2.00 Hazard mitigation and the disaster management cycle

2.00 – 2.20 Hazard mapping and assessment

2.20 – 2.50 Vulnerability assessment

2.50 - 3.10 Mitigation measures

3.25 – 4.00 Task 1 - Development of baseline of available hazard information

Tuesday 16 May 2000

8.30– 9.00Why Hazard Mitigation Planning

9.00 – 9.30 Existing Hazard Mitigation Approaches, Antigua and Barbuda (P. Mullin)

9.30 – 12.30 The Hazard Mitigation Plan Process

- Basic Principles for Plan Preparation

- Plan Formulation

- Tools and Techniques

- Co-ordinating plan preparation and resource sharing

- Stakeholders

1.30 – 2.30 Group Assignments, Review and discussion

2.30 - 4.30 Group Assignments - Breakout

9.00 - 12.00 Group Assignments - Breakout (Continued)

1.00 – 1.30 Group Assignments – Breakout (Continued)

1.30 – 2.30 Presentations

2.30 – 3.00 Discussion of Presentations

3.15 – 3.45 Review; The Way Forward

3.45 – 4.15 Closing Ceremony

1. That mitigation should form an integral part of the development process
2. That communities should be provided with the necessary mitigation tools to:

1. reduce loss of life;
2. ensure that they are able to continue to earn a livelihood in order to reduce poverty caused by disasters.

1. That disaster mitigation should be dealt with in a holistic manner
2. That there should be coordination among all sectors and agencies
3. That networking between the private and public sector should be fostered
4. That there is the need to review the existing legislation as it relates to natural hazard mitigation
5. That there is the need to preserve and treat supplementary water supplies.

1. That opportunities exist to strengthen construction practice and building codes through application of standards
2. That the existing land use legislation/regulations need to be enforced
3. That there is the need for public awareness, education and training in natural hazard mitigation.

1. That a natural hazard mitigation plan is developed for the tourism sector
2. That a mitigation committee is formed to develop a mitigation plan for the sector
3. That a methodology is developed for assessing the effectiveness of the plan as a mitigation tool, and that based on this methodology, the proposed tourism mitigation plan is revised annually
4. That operators within the tourism sector are sensitized to the vulnerability of the sector to natural hazards so that they are aware of the locational and structural requirements for tourist infrastructure
5. That the land use planning agency is strengthened
6. That the existing building code is enforced
7. That hotels are constructed at a specified distance from the high water mark. This should be a legislative requirement.
8. That the existing beach protection legislation is updated and enforced
9. That sand mining on the beaches is monitored.
10. That continuous training and education on natural hazard mitigation are carried out for the sector.

(23 respondents)

In an effort to improve the quality of subsequent courses, please answer the following questions.

1 = Very Poor; 2 = Poor; 3 = Fair; 4 = Good; 5 = Very Good; n/a = not applicable.

1. How would you rate the following:

• Physical Facilities: 4.6
• Availability of computers: 2.1
• Utility of course assignments and exercises: 4
• Relevance of the course to your job: 4.3
• Duration of the course: 3.8
• Course instructor/presenter delivery and understanding of material:
• Cassandra Rogers 4.4
• Lynette Atwell 4.4

2. Were the handouts helpful in improving your understanding of the course material?

• 4.0

3. Was the course helpful in improving your understanding of natural hazards and hazard mitigation planning: 4.2

• In your current job? 4.2

4. Do you intend to use this information directly in your current job? Explain.

• To a limited extent in developing public awareness
• Can now further educate all persons on the importance of disaster mitigation and assist in reviewing disaster policies
• In areas where community implementation is necessary
• Yes, in updating the hurricane procedures plan of action
• Yes, as coordinator for my district disaster committee I would endeavor to impart information obtained to other community members and committee at large
• Yes, in planning and design of the built environment
• Yes, due to vulnerability to hazards especially hurricanes, the information is extremely importance due to our involvement in disaster management
• Mitigation planning is necessary in physical planning and thus I would incorporate into daily work routine
• Ensure that have proper mitigation plan in place
• In the development of a disaster mitigation plan for the Ministry of Tourism and the tourism sector in general
• To focus more on mitigation issues.

5. Did the course meet its objectives?

• Yes
• Was able to understand the true meaning of mitigation and what it can do
• Ultimately it did, comments on final day did help in understanding objectives
• By emphasising importance of mitigation

6. How would you rate the course on an overall basis? 4.5

7. How could the course be improved?

• Provide handout prior to presentations
• Extend time frame in terms of length of entire course
• Possibly more handouts and time for course
• Be exposed to more material and more time
• More time for group work
• More specific exercises
• Topics for presentation too long

  8. Add any additional comments here.

• Looking forward to follow-up workshop
• Host this workshop for government ministers to sensitise them and to ensure political will; convincing them of the importance of mitigation is important
• Ensuring attendance by key agencies
• Very good effort overall
• Very interesting workshop
• Workshop very informative and educational, but to fully understand the subject more time was needed
• Facilitators were very knowledgeable; hope plans for follow up workshop, thanks to sponsors
• Very helpful, clarify importance and role of mitigation in planning and disaster management
• Made me realise that a disaster mitigation plan can work
• There needs to be creation of awareness nationally.