Bridgetown, Barbados November 15, 2022– The CDEMA Coordinating Unit officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S based Relief and Development Organization, World Hope International on November 11, 2022.
The signing occurred at the close of the weeklong Regional Search and Rescue Training (RSART) Programme, CDEMA’s first in-person disaster response training held in Barbados since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The programme was funded by the Targeted Support to CDEMA Project through Global Affairs Canada.
Executive Director of CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, welcomed the partnership saying, “Our Participating States stand to benefit tremendously from the expertise of World Hope International. Emergency humanitarian response and logistics are increasingly important as the multi hazard environment changes and this support will be critical to the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM).”
World Hope International was a key supporter of the RSART Programme, facilitating sessions with the disciplined forces of Barbados and Antigua. Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response at World Hope International, Tae Symons, said, “World Hope International is thankful for the collaboration with CDEMA to promote comprehensive disaster management and enhance regional sustainable development. The partnership will strengthen the capacities to better respond to and prepare for disasters.”
Through the MOU, World Hope International will collaborate with CDEMA on Annual Exercises such as the flagship Exercise SYNERGY, as well as logistics during the activation of the RRM. Search and Rescue Training within CDEMA’s Participating States and coordination of humanitarian operations will also be supported.
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