The Community in which we live could be exposed to hazards and natural disasters which force us face them and learn to cope with emergency situations. At such times, we have to be prepared to respond to the larger needs of the community and to be organized and attend to the information and education needs of all members of the community. This has to be done independently from the assistance received from outside the community itself so as to self-empower resident’s recovery and encourage community wellness.

United Caribbean Trust working in association with House of Freedom desires to establish a Community Disaster Mitigation program within Friendship Community Impact. The Community Complex being designed for this project will be erected using a Building System researched especially for this project. It uses high technology materials with advanced engineering to create an environmentally conscious product of superior architectural design and detail that is hurricane resistant and can be used as a Category 1 hurricane shelter.

Objectives:

To train and thereby empower local churches and community groups to assist each other in lessening the impact of disaster traumas as they arise and impact on local and regional environments.

In September 2004 when hurricane Ivan destroyed Grenada United Caribbean Trust (UCT) worked in association with the Baby Survival Kit Foundation to be the hands of distribution for that excellent initiative. Seen here Tony in La Mode demonstrating Christ's love in action.

Following hurricane Ivan over 70 Baby Survival Kits were transported to St. Georges, Grenada by BARNUFO as a result of the sterling efforts of Mrs. Melanie Bishop founder of the Foundation.

Disaster Mitigation Procedure:

It is intended to train small groups within the Community in the following areas:

• Rapid response;
• Basic First Aid
• Disaster preparedness for the household;
• Disaster preparedness for the community;
• Community assessments; documentation of demographics; and
• Identification of vulnerable.

Each module provides a basic plan of action which consciously informs cognizance of the ability of a community to survive. The utilization of workshops covering the aforementioned topics will assist communities in efficient recovery immediately following an event on the scale of an Ivan. The demographics gathered during such workshops will provide a data base for basic damage assessments, which in turn will optimize the delivery of humanitarian aid and decentralize subsequent relief efforts so the vulnerable members of the community are not subjected to dangerous delays which might further contribute to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and delay the inherent recovery efforts of the wider community.

1) Rapid Response

Community readiness is the objective of this exercise. Demographics, which include a listing of the vulnerable within communities, should be compiled as a matter of course. This information will prove invaluable in assessing the holistic needs of a community, especially essential following a natural disaster. The data bases compiled will allow health care personnel and other relief workers to accurately assess and predict the recovery of a community’s wellness by introducing damage controls at the earliest instance.

2) Basic First Aid

This will enable community leaders to attend and assist with sorting and care of the injured, including moderate delivery of life- sustaining measures, until health care professionals can take control. This module also identifies basic psychological symptoms commensurate with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a syndrome which can hamper recovery efforts; teaches basic counseling skills for use under emergency conditions.

3) Disaster Preparedness for the Household:

Trains and prepares householders to take viable control measures in disaster mitigation through preparedness. Pinpoints the vulnerable areas of a household and identifies priorities for attention. Identifies shelters and basic needs requirements for individuals

4) Disaster Preparedness for the Community:

Allows community leaders to be identified and assume specific areas for responsibility so that a team approach may be utilized to optimize community recovery following an event. This module emphasizes the need for community demographics with particular attention to the vulnerable so that community wellness can be assured. It also assists with identifying the professionals within a community, who may be required to assume leadership within an arena requiring their particular skills base.

5) Post- Event Assessments