On Wednesday October 19 2022, The Sir Arthur Lewis Community College hosted the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to provide knowledge on how to reduce our island 's vulnerability to disasters, as well as to promote the engagement of youth on the frontline of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
The seminar was facilitated by Mr. Hayato Nakamura — JICA International Expert at the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and Mr. Yuzo Ota — a JICA Volunteer currently attached to the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO).
Mr. Nakamura has been working as a Policy Advisor on Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for the region, while Mr. Ota holds wealth of experience related to landslide susceptibility and Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis. These two experts applied their knowledge and valuable experiences on DRR to give disaster education a functional, operational and effective tool for risk management.
A key area of cooperation for JICA’s development assistance to the Caribbean is disaster management and reduction. The region is susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and of course, flooding due to the increased frequency and intensity of major hurricanes and rainfall caused by climate change. JICA sees this as an area of priority and thus aims to increase investment in disaster prevention by mainstreaming disaster management and risk reduction.
Additionally, JICA offers support in rehabilitation and reconstruction measures in the event of a natural disaster via technical cooperation, grant aid and loans. The aim of the seminar is to engage youth on disaster risk reduction and resilience so that they are sensitized to the critical role it plays in securing national development and prosperity.
