NATIONAL OFFICE OF DISASTER SERVICES

 November 17th, 2017 - A team from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID) is conducting a review of Antigua and Barbuda’s response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The group, led by UWI’s Disaster Risk Management Specialist Jeremy Collymore, also includes Director of the UWI’s Disaster Risk Reduction Centre Dr. Barbara Carby and DFID’s Disaster Management Consultant Peter Rees-Gildea.  

This review will gather information on the initial phase of the response and the transition to early recovery. Where response interventions are still being carried out, this activity will provide the opportunity for feedback for immediate use in managing the response where applicable.

It is expected that the review will assess the progress of the Regional Response Mechanism and the international community in responding to humanitarian needs arising from the event.

Meetings have been held with the country’s Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and his Cabinet members, representatives from the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), the Police and Fire Departments, Defence Force, Ministry of Health and District Disaster Coordinators.