Red Cross, DDM inks MOU to strengthen disaster response locally

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The disaster response in the British Virgin Islands has now been strengthened with the BVI Red Cross and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday.

A media release from the BVI Red Cross stated that the MOU is aimed at properly defining the areas of cooperation between the two agencies in the execution of the territory’s disaster management programme.

Director of BVI Red Cross Stacy Lloyd said that the signing comes at the right time as the BVI prepares for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

She said: “The MOU specifically relates to the DDM’s containerized satellite warehouses located in each district. The BVI Red Cross, as outlined in the MOU, will now have access to, and allocated space within the warehouses for the storage of emergency supplies.”

“The BVI Red Cross is continuing to work alongside the DDM to help individuals and communities enhance capacity to prepare for, deal with and recover from crisis,” Lloyd added.

Above average hurricane season

The hurricane season began on Monday, June 1 and runs until November 30.

According to hurricane researchers at the Colorado State University, the region is predicted to have an above-average hurricane season with 16 named storms expected.

Of the 16 storms, these researchers are predicting that eight will develop to become major hurricanes with categories of three, four and five strengths and winds of 111 miles per hour in some cases.

The first two named storms — Arthur and Bortha — have already formed and gone.