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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
Post-GeorgesPost-GeorgesDisaster MitigationDisaster Mitigation
in Antigua and Barbudain Antigua and Barbuda
Funded by a special appropriation bythe U.S. Congress to countries affected by
Hurricanes Georges and Mitch, through USAID/Jamaica
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Roundtable Objectives
• OAS hazard mitigation philosophy
• Introduce Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation project
• Design local project management arrangements
• Draft a project agreement between the OAS and the Government of Antigua/Barbuda
• Outline draft workplan for start-up period
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Hazard Mitigation Philosophy
• Natural hazards are an integral part of development
• Poorly planned or executed development contributes to vulnerability and disaster loss
• Conversely, effective disaster loss reduction is best achieved as part of well-designed and executed development plans and investment projects
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Development as Contributing Factor to Hazard Risk
• Site Vulnerability– Location in hazardous area without adequate
protection
• Structural Vulnerability– Inadequate design, standards, maintenance
• Loss of Natural Protection– Deforestation, loss of reefs and dunes
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Vulnerability as Design/ Investment Decision
Photo: T
ony Gibbs,
CE
P
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Disasters Don’t Pay:Impact versus relief
Dominica: Luis and Marilyn (1995)
• Estimated damages in 1995: 35% of GDP
• Grant and loan financing pledges (including insurance payments): 38% of damages
• Insurance payments: 13 % of damages
[Balances as of August 1996]
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Mitigation Policy Tools and Stakeholders
• Policy Tools– Risk Avoidance: land use regulation, financial
incentives, risk information disclosure– Risk Spreading and Transfer: insurance,
diversification, redundancy– Risk Reduction: retrofitting, building codes,
protective works
• Stakeholders: Homeowners, Builders, Government, Business, Insurance, Lenders
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Hazard Mitigation Lessons
• Reverse vulnerability accumulation trends with policies and programs that support effective land use planning and control.
• Give natural hazard assessment the same importance as environmental impact assessment for major investment projects.
• Leverage development financing (public and private sector) to increase resilience to disasters.
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Hazard Mitigation Challenges
• Making Disasters a Development Issue– Recognition that investment decisions
determine level of vulnerability– Understanding costs/benefits of mitigation
• Marketing Mitigation– Overcome misconceptions– Improve the understanding of risk posed by
prevalent hazards– Develop effective alternatives to regulation
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
PGDM Project Goal
To reduce the vulnerabilityof population and economic activities
to natural hazards*
through enhanced capacityfor hazard mitigation
* includes tropical storms and related flooding and seismic and volcanic hazards
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Project Objectives
• Develop and begin implementation of national hazard mitigation policy/plan.
• Strengthen national building code use / enforcement; improve building practices.
• Enhance national emergency shelter policies and programs.
• Increase public understanding of the need and options for hazard mitigation.
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Project Objectives (cont’d)
Hazard Mitigation Committee
Hazard Mitigation Policy/Plan
ImprovedBuilding Practices
EmergencyShelter Strengthening
Public Information and Education
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Project Context and Links
International DonorsGTZ: Early Warning Systems
CIDA: ENCAPD
CIMHStorm Hazard
Mapping
National Development FndnHousing retrofit program,safer housing roundtable
US National Trust forHistoric Preservation
Hazard mitigationfor cultural resources
Government of Antigua and Barbuda Existing policies, programs
CDERA Shelter management
Public awareness
USAID/OAS Post-GeorgesDisaster Mitigation Project
USAID/OAS Caribbean Disaster Mitigation Project
Other Resources:__________________________
A/B Government AgenciesTraining in mitigation planning, post-disaster
mitigation, building inspection, hurricanepreparedness
OAS/WB/GEF CPACC Economic instruments
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Project Management
National DisasterMitigation Committee
OAS Projectmanagement (DC)
USAIDJamaica
Reporting,planning
OAS Antigua and Barbuda
Local representation,government liaison,
logistical support
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Localcoordination
Policy making,project guidance
Managementsupervision
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
OAS Responsibilities
• Establish and maintain project workplan
• Technical guidance and assistance towards achieving the primary project objectives
• Participate in regular USAID planning / supervision meetings
• Project reporting: quarterly progress and financial reports
• Comply with all USAID grant requirements
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
http://www.oas.org/pgdm• Public information
• Exchange of project information between participants
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Post-Georges Disaster Mitigation
http://www.oas.org/pgdm
Definitions
• HAZARD: probability of occurrence, within a given time period and area, of a potentially damaging phenomenon.*
• RISK: expected damage or loss from a given hazard. Is a function of hazard characteristics (probability, intensity, extent) and vulnerability. *
• VULNERABILITY: degree of loss to a given element at risk, resulting from the occurrence of a phenomenon of a given magnitude. *
• HAZARD MITIGATION: An activity undertaken to eliminate or reduce the degree of long term RISK to human life and property from a HAZARD.
* UNDRO [now OCHA]