30 persons trained in emergency relief operations

PRESS RELEASE: Director at the Department for Disaster Management, Sharleen DaBreo, MBE has said that the Territory has to manage its resources with transparency and strict accountability following the lessons learned in 2017.

To this end, thirty persons representing a number of Non-Government Organisations and Government departments participated in a two day Logistics Support System (LSS) training.

The training was held on June 18 and 19 and was financially supported by the Pan American Health Organisation and facilitated by certified trainers Ms DaBreo and Community Relations Officer Mr. Cecil Jeffrey.

Ms DaBreo said a Logistics Cell is established to manage all types of resources needed by the Territory in response to a hazard impact as part of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC).

She added that the impacts from 2017 have shown the need for continued training to be offered to a wide range of partners to ensure that there is capacity to manage local as well as donated relief items coming into the Territory.

Ms DaBreo said, “Humanitarian assistance is going to be required for catastrophic type of events, similar to those that occurred last year. We, therefore, need to ensure that we have the capacity available locally to address the various logistical needs and to ensure that we can provide essential items to those most affected to allow them to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

The director further stated that it is important to have sufficient capacity on the ground to implement and manage the system. “We have to find ways to reduce wastage and to get the much-needed aid to those affected,” she said.

Ms DaBreo added, “A central distribution warehouse, collection points and public distribution points will be formalised as part of the process combined with operational teams to ensure that these resources are reaching the affected persons efficiently.”

The two-day training brought together representatives from organisations involved in providing and distributing relief through a nationally established Logistical Management Programme and allowed them to get a good idea of how the LSS software, created by the Pan American Health Organisation can enhance coordination of the humanitarian supply chain.

Community Relations Officer Mr Cecil Jeffrey considered an expert in the use of the software has been serving as a PAHO trainer for a number of years and has trained persons locally as well as across the region.

Mr Jeffrey explained how the software works. “It helps to collect information to provide decision supporting reports that show which relief supplies were received or delivered, where they have been stored, which relief supplies are requested and how useful they are at a specific moment. Sorting and classifying incoming supplies are also key functions of a logistics support system.”

Following the training, the DDM will meet with representatives from various organisations to work through the formal elements of the Logistics plan that will be needed by the NEOC for future operations. Persons will also be expected to participate in the management of the relief and distribution system.

As the DDM continues to improve the Territorial Disaster Management Programme capacity building initiatives will be provided for target groups within various sectors. These initiatives all form part of the readiness plan which the department is working to implement in preparation for the approaching active part of the 2018 Hurricane Season and to ensure that communities continue to be ready and stay ready.