CDC, CDEMA talk disaster recovery in agriculture sector

Response to disaster recovery in the agricultural sector was the focus of discussion on Wednesday, as the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) facilitated a workshop on resiliency and addressing gaps.

Flooding at Mahaica which resulted in damage to crops and livestock (file photo)

In collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA); the World Bank and Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER), the engagement focused on the completion of the sectoral level assessment of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Recovery Audit Tool.
CDEMA’s Planning and Business Development Manager, Sharon Layne-Augustine noted, “Since the revision of the recovery component of the tool in September 2020, we are now better able to assess the state of resilient recovery and identify gaps. This ensures that underlying risks and long-term recovery are addressed. The recovery phase of the Audit Tool now also better recognises inclusiveness through the promotion of partnerships and collaboration across multi-agency and interdisciplinary groups,” Layne-Augustine added.
She said it also promoted better social inclusion as it considered the poor, elderly, and other vulnerable groups such as farmers who rely on natural resources for their livelihood and are at high risk of these disastrous impacts.
The application of the CDM Recovery Audit Tool component and the analysis of data gathered are expected to improve from Governments and agencies to enable faster and resilient recovery in the aftermath of disasters. Recommendations from the assessment will form the design of technical assistance activities to improve resilient recovery in national sectors of eligible countries. Apart from Guyana, technical assistance will be offered to Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.
In January 2021 with support from the CDEMA, the Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility and the World Bank, the CDC commenced the application of a national disaster recovery audit to ascertain the country’s disaster recovery capacity.
This process led to a more focused approach on the agricultural sector, which is one of the largest sectors that contribute to the economy in Guyana. However, the sector is very susceptible to the impacts of natural and anthropogenic hazards.
CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig also highlighted, “Guyana’s coastal plain, where most of the agricultural land and businesses are located, is highly vulnerable to floods and droughts. The reported frequency of natural emergencies and disasters has risen significantly in the past years, with the coastal zones particularly exposed. Managing the changes in coastal dynamics and protecting our agriculture sector should not be taken for granted.” (G12)