Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Policy 2022 for Barbados.

The Barbados Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Policy provides for a strategic direction to keeping people safe and making communities more resilient to disaster and climate related risks and impacts. The purposes of this Policy are: (i) to provide the supportive governance and accountability arrangements and strategic direction for a safer, more resilient, and sustainable Barbados through comprehensive disaster management; (ii) to guide the development and mainstreaming of CDM policies and programs for a resilient Barbados society; (iii) to ensure Barbados meets its regional and international disaster management obligations; (iv) to articulate the vision and goals for comprehensive disaster management for the Government of Barbados in line with the objectives of the Emergency Management Act, Cap. 160A (2006).
This policy sets out priority areas for action, as follows: (I) robust, and well-resourced governance system at all levels to deliver CDM results; (II) disaster mitigation supported by risk analysis, prevents the creation of risk and reduces risk to people and infrastructure; (III) operational readiness at the national, sectoral and community levels; (IV) mainstreaming and leading CDM by key sectors; (V) community resilience enhanced for the most vulnerable with gender concerns addressed at all stages and levels; (VI) management and sustainability of disaster research, knowledge and information; (VI) timely and organized national and community recovery to achieve improved development conditions that minimize risk and serves the most vulnerable.
The supportive governance and accountability arrangements will be provided to guide the development and mainstreaming of CDM policies and programs by all ministries, departments, statutory bodies, community-based organizations, private sector entities, non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, communities and individuals, for reduced losses and damages, safer communities, more resilient people, a protected environment, a stable society, and sustainable economy. The National Emergency Management System (NEMS) will be strengthened for effective implementation, monitoring and reporting. A National CDM Strategy and Multi-Year Country Work Plan that encompasses the CDM Approach and identifies the necessary elements of a CDM Enabling and Mainstreaming Frameworks, will be developed.
The adverse impact of natural hazards, climate change, ecosystems/environmental degradation, and technological hazards will be mitigated through mainstreaming CDM and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into national sustainable development planning. The design of interventions, programmes, and projects for building resilience and reducing risk will be informed by risk analysis. Nature based and Eco-DRR solutions, sustainable consumption and production, sustainable waste disposal solutions will be implemented to support a long-term green growth and development strategy and DRR. New mechanisms, including a risk register for risk-informed decision making, will be established. Insurance mechanisms will be established to cover infrequent risks, including chemical and oil spills. Risk assessments will be enhanced through hazard monitoring, forecasting, mapping and account for drivers of risk, systemic risks, interconnectedness amongst systems, and uncertainty.
The National Multi-hazard Disaster Management Plan will be updated and related procedures will be informed by risk assessments. The Multi- Hazard Early Warning Systems policy will be developed and implemented and communications will be improved at the national and community levels. A national standard methodology will be applied for damage and loss assessment and a repository for data on damages on losses will be established. Procurement arrangements will be reviewed to facilitate agility in times of disaster. Guidelines for DRR and resilience will be established and sectoral agencies will be assisted with reviewing or developing sectoral strategies and plans so that disaster risk reduction becomes one of the central elements of these plans and strategies. A mechanism requiring all key sectors, including the private sector, will be developed to implement and maintain up-to-date CDM policies and plans informed by risk assessments. Periodic assessment and public reporting will be carried out progress of national and local DRR strategies. DRR planning will be advanced in key sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, environment, education and health and action will be initiated including in other emerging critical sectors such as finance, the blue economy (ocean-based sectors) and energy sectors. Disaster risks will be assessed to protect critical infrastructure (electricity, drainage, water management, transportation) and environmental assets from disasters and other shocks.
Community needs assessments will be undertaken to inform Community Based Disaster Management. Guidelines will be developed for communities to formulate risk reduction and resilience plans, and communities will be trained on risks and damage assessments. The mapping and profiling of vulnerable groups, areas and sectors will be carried out in collaboration with the appropriate sectors and agencies. Communities will be assisted in undertaking small-scale grants programmes for adaptation and mitigation. Social protection programmes will be strengthened to deliver CDM. Community based early warning systems will be established in vulnerable communities.
A national electronic repository will be established and improved for hazard and risk knowledge, lessons learnt, good practices, disaster impacts that is accessible to all stakeholders and the general population for decision making as a national priority. Public awareness programmes will be strengthened to address all hazards and build the public consciousness throughout the year on their roles in mitigating against and managing disasters, and to build a culture of safety. The National Recovery Framework will be enhanced to be responsive to all priority hazards, including pandemics and to consider economic, social, environmental and infrastructural dimensions of recovery, incorporating the best lessons learnt, acceptable regional and national standards, policies, legislation, implementation arrangements, governance arrangements and SOPs. Ex ante disaster recovery planning, including from environmental hazards, will be promoted. A Recovery plan that addresses the immediate, short- term and long-term recovery needs of the community, will be developed.