12 shelters being assessed, 14 undergoing repairs — DDM
Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Sharleen DaBreo
Roughly a dozen land-based emergency shelters in the British Virgin Islands are currently being ‘assessed’ and another 14 are now undergoing repairs as the territory treads deeper in the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
That is according to the Director of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Sharleen DaBreo.
“We are looking at several buildings – there are about 12 others being looked at right now,” she said.
The DDM last week released what it described as an interim list of land-based emergency shelters that are valid up till July 31, and DaDreo said her department has been holding talks with owners of other structures that potentially could become shelters.
“We haven’t finished the consultation with the owners as yet … because every facility that is on that list; there is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is written to secure the use of those facilities.”
“Some of them (owners) we are actually finalising that MoU and others; we are in discussions with right now,” she said.
Fourteen to be ready next month
In the meantime, the DDM Director said the 14 shelters now being repaired should be ready by July.
“We are hoping that within the next four to six weeks, we can have those repairs completed and added back to the list,” she said.
The government of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency are funding the repairs.
Meanwhile, DaBreo described the process of readying emergency shelters as ‘difficult,’ but said a few facilities are already in ‘excellent condition’.
As the BVI scrambles to complete preparations for the 2018 hurricane season, local authorities have said the territory will be fully prepared by the ‘peak of the season’.
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I can’t help feeling that if we are still assessing shelters, we have left things a little bit late.
But why would a shelter that obtained serious damage during the hurricanes be designated as a shelter now as repairs in progress?
Should not these shelters have been assessed long time ago be prepared and ready for the 2018 hurricane season? What has been happening since November 30, the end of 2017 hurricane season? How safe are the 12 shelters that being assessed, ie, rated wind load….etc? Should not the 14 that are being repaired have been a top priority for resources and have been ready for the 2018 hurricane season? Should not the priority be life and property in that order?
Karma will catch up to the corrupted “4 to 6 week for renovation!? hmph real thieves : Thank you tho
The woman is a complete waste of time.
Those shelters go through a public health and a structural assessment ny Environmental Health amd PWD. The DDM assessed the structures after Irma and Maria then again this year to give the Interim list. Repairs are still ongoing so they have to issue a final list later on. Instead of finding fault with everything why dont you all volunteer to help. I am sure they will welcome you all and find work for you to do in your own communities.