Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 24, 2013 (SKNIS): The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis (Ministry of Homeland Security) in collaboration with the Government of the Argentine Republic’s disaster management organization- The White Helmets, have embarked on a three-day workshop that will assist in NEMA’s ongoing efforts to fortify disaster management in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The September 24–26 workshop aims to equip participants with knowledge about the capabilities and operations of the White Helmets and about several disaster management topics and systems.
His Excellency Ariel Fernandez, Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to St. Kitts and Nevis, expressed that it is a pleasure both Governments are recognizing the dramatic increase in the relationship over the past two years through the collaborations and added that they are planning to do much more.
“This seminar is part of the plan of increasing the level of relationships, His Excellency Fernandez explained. “We don’t think that this will be the last seminar or the last interaction between people dedicated to preparing for natural disasters and reducing its side effects.”
Natural Disaster Coordinator for NEMA Carl Herbert expressed the Government’s gratitude to the Argentine Government for offering to share their expertise in disaster management and for financing the workshop.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis views this workshop as yet another step in the Argentine Government’s expressed commitment to further strengthen relations and co-operations in St. Kitts and Nevis and for this we are grateful,” he stated.
The workshops will be conducted in both St. Kitts and in Nevis by a delegation from the Argentine Republic. The session on Nevis will comprise of a simulation exercise, in relation to what would have been discussed during the 2 previous days of the exercise.
Topics to be addressed will include Risk Scenarios and Risk Map Designs, International Humanitarian Assistance, Hurricane Contingency Planning, Emergency Operations Centre, Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA), Early Warning Systems, Volunteerism, Shelter Management and Temporary Shelter Management.