Minister of State for Lands and Local Government the Hon. Byran Woodside (left) and Chargé d’Affairs, United States Embassy, John Dinkelman sit side-by-side during the opening ceremony for the Southern Bahamas Disaster Conference at the Sheraton Cable Beach, Tuesday, February 14. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Southern Bahamas Disaster Conference represents a shared commitment of The Bahamas and the United States in ensuring that both countries remain equipped with tools and knowledge to properly respond to large-scale emergencies and the threats associated with various types of disasters, Minister of State for Lands and Local Government the Hon. Byran Woodside said.

During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, February 14, Mr Woodside said the Conference is the third in a series of conferences held throughout The Bahamas sponsored by the United States Southern Command, the Pacific Disaster Centre and the United States Embassy.

John Dinkelman, Chargé d’Affairs, United States Embassy; Captain Stephen Russell, Director, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); other senior Government Officials; United States Officials; Family Island Chief Councillors; and Family Island Administrators were also in attendance at the opening at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.

Mr. Woodside said NEMA has played an integral role in fulfilling its mandate to promote The Bahamas Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy. 
“This includes assisting with the Government’s long term goals of building capacity in communities as they relate to disaster preparedness and poverty alleviation,” he said.  “This is why it is essential to have meetings such as this with leaders and key stakeholders from each island.”

Senior Bahamas Government officials, officials from the United States Embassy, representatives from the National Emergency Disaster Agency, Family Island Chief Councillors, and Family Island Administrators attend the opening ceremony for the Southern Bahamas Disaster Conference at the Sheraton Cable Beach, Tuesday, February 14. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

Over the two-day conference, Mr Woodside told the conference’s participants that they would have the opportunity to review and correct as necessary, any deficiencies in the steps taken prior to, during, and in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

“With a view to building disaster resilient communities in the future, you will have the opportunity to identify and discuss the aforementioned challenges and lessons learnt while documenting best practices.”

The participants will engage in panel discussions and group activities that will cover topics that include:

Application of Initial Damage Assessments; Damage Assessment and Need Analysis;
Working with the media during the Response and Recovery phases; Financial Procedures in Disaster Recovery; and Improving Response and Recovery by building Regional Emergency Management capabilities.

Mr. Woodside noted that the conference is also intended to help cultivate new ideas and strategies that will lead The Bahamas toward more effective and efficient mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery practices.

He told the Family Island officials that their responsibilities require them to ensure there is a functioning Disaster Consultative Committee in place to assist with managing emergency events or incidents that may occur on the islands.

Minister of State for Lands and Local Government the Hon. Byran Woodside opens the Southern Bahamas Disaster Conference at the Sheraton Cable Beach, Tuesday, February 14. (BIS Photo/Kristaan Ingraham)

“Every Government Ministry or Department on your island is required to make a liaison officer available to be a part of your committee to assist with preparing and developing action plans that will guarantee Disaster Resilient Communities.  You do not have to manage these events alone.

“It has always been the intent of the Government of The Bahamas to build on initiatives that would complement ‘Building Disaster Resilient Communities through Mitigation, Preparedness and Effective Recovery’.”

Mr. Woodside added, “Integrating mitigation measures such as proper building codes, sea walls and proper drainage systems are of critical importance.  All of these are necessary for community development and for reducing the risks associated with hurricane related or any other natural or man-made disasters.”