McKenzie said that all Jamaica’s major institutions, including the parliament and the central bank, are on the coast. “For the past two and a half years, we have had no direct hit from a hurricane, but we have experienced rain patterns never seen before,” he said.

The Jamaican Government is taking steps to tackle the risks. It is tightening building regulations, improving drainage systems and upgrading the road network, among other measures. It is also relocating vulnerable communities. “We are looking at redoubling our efforts in this hurricane season,” he added.

Working with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Government is equipping a number of parishes with early warning systems. It is also training some 2,000 volunteers in disaster risk response.

Mexico is working with Jamaica to prepare a contingency plan to ensure that government can continue to operate following some severe disaster. “We saw in Grenada how the Government could not operate after a major hurricane. That is one of the weaknesses in the region. Jamaica has taken a bold step,” he said.

Date:

26 Jun 2018

Sources:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for the Americas (UNISDR AM)

Themes:

Small Islands Developing States (SIDS)

Hazards:

Flood

Countries:

Jamaica

Regions:

Americas