Disaster Awareness Week to focus on communities and families

“Community Resilience … Families play your part” is the theme for Disaster Awareness Week, which will be observed from June 8 to 14, 2013 and organised by the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA).

This initiative is aimed at continuing NaDMA’s ongoing efforts to heighten awareness among the general population with a focus on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM), which is the management of all hazards through all phases of the disaster management cycle by all people.

The week, according to a release from NaDMA, will feature the following activities:

June 8 & 9 – Message from NaDMA will be read in churches;

June 10 – NaDMA will participate in radio and television programmes;

June 11 – Staff of NaDMA will distribute Family Disaster Plan Pamphlets;

June 12 – CDM school groups will distribute Family Disaster Plan Pamphlets;

June 13 – Disaster Awareness Quiz Finals (Primary Schools);

– All 17 Districts will conduct public Family Disaster Plan development sessions; and

June 14 – Region Rap – CDEMA Regional Telecommunications test.

The release said that forecasters have warned that the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above average and very active. Predictions are that there can be between 14 and 18 named storms, with 7 to 9 of them becoming hurricanes and 3 to 4 major hurricanes.

The highlight of the week will be Thursday, June 13, when all districts will conduct public sessions, at around the same time, with families and members of the community, teaching them how to develop their Family Disaster plan.