Hazard Mitigation Policy 2006.

The goals to achieve the vision of the National Hazard Mitigation Policy are to: Develop social, economic, and environmentally sustainable measures that minimise the risks of hazards. Incorporate hazard risk reduction in everyday activities at every level of society. The objectives of the Hazard Mitigation Policy are: i. To encourage the incorporation of hazard mitigation measures in all public and private sector development planning initiatives and programme budgets. ii. To foster a collaborative approach to hazard risk reduction among all stakeholder groups. iii. To empower local community groups, institutions and individuals to undertake hazard mitigation measures. iv. To increase the awareness of hazard mitigation at every level of society and encourage their involvement in hazard risk reduction. v. To develop an effective and comprehensive legislative and institutional framework that supports hazard mitigation.
The policy is centered on the belief that a culture of multi-hazard mitigation is critical to achieving sustainable development particularly in a Small Island Developing State. Therefore, a long-term strategic approach will be used in implementing the Policy. The broad strategy to implement the Policy is the integration of hazard mitigation measures in all aspects of development planning and implementation of public and private sector programmes and projects. This strategic approach will require the full participation of public and private sector organisations as well as the collaborative involvement of local community groups and individuals in hazard mitigation measures. The National Hazard Mitigation Plan will be the vehicle for implementation of the strategy.
In order to address the impacts of Climate Change and other natural hazards on coastal and marine resources, the Government of Saint Lucia, in collaboration with Social Partners will: Adopt policies and strategies that encourage non-coastal development. Adopt integrated approaches to the management of natural resources in general and coastal and marine resources in particular. Implement a continuing monitoring and assessment programme with particular emphasis on: the sustainable utilization of living and non-living resources within coastal and marine areas; the enhancement of modelling capabilities to distinguish between human-induced and natural changes in coastal processes; regular assessments of the vulnerability of social and economic assets; research on comparable methodologies that will facilitate decision making based on the precautionary principle. Adopt measures to protect coastal areas and to increase the resilience of coastal ecosystems and resources, including the construction of coastal defence structures, enforcement of setbacks and restoration of coastal wetlands. Facilitate the restoration of impaired coastal resources and coastal ecosystems where technically and financially feasible. design and implement poverty reduction programmes for coastal communities including income-generating schemes built around sustainable resource use and management, education and training.