Course on risk and crisis management in the event of hurricanes

Colombia is promoting the Co-operation Strategy for the Caribbean Basin. Through this Strategy, the Colombian Government shares some of its institutional strengths with the countries of the region in five strategic areas for the development of the region.

- Food security
- Professional technical training
- Bilingualism - Academic mobility
- Disaster prevention and relief

Bearing in mind that the Caribbean region is vulnerable to the occurrence of disasters, hurricanes in particular, the Government of Colombia deems it important to strengthen joint efforts among governments, institutions and communities for the wellbeing, security and protection of the citizen. For that reason and in order to promote the preparation and education necessary to prevent disasters and to respond in a timely and appropriate fashion, Colombia, under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the support of the Pan-American Development Foundation (FUPAD), will offer the “Course on Risk and Crisis Management in the event of Hurricanes”, prepared by the National University of Colombia. This initiative confirms Colombia’s commitment to South-South Co-operation and promotes the strengthening of capabilities in the area of risk management and disaster relief in the Caribbean region. The course is geared toward providing the officials of the Caribbean Basin with training and instruction with respect to risk management and the response capabilities of the various sectors and communities, with special emphasis on hurricanes. This will also serve as an opportunity to establish links for joint work and co-operation among the countries of the Caribbean.

Objective:

Develop the topics of Risk Management, Disaster Reduction and Crisis Management, with the focus being the tropical storms occurring in the Caribbean, so as to maximize not only forecasting and anticipation in light of such events, but also the response and recovery capabilities when these events occur.

Specific objectives

- Provide a process of training, participation and instruction for officials of the various institutions and representatives of the Nations and Community Organizations involved in Risk Management.- Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and know-how regarding the mitigation of the effects caused by natural and anthropic events, with special emphasis on hurricanes and the response capabilities of the different sectors and communities.
- Facilitate the cultural, technical and scientific recovery of the popular and professional historical experience concerning the management of crisis and risk situations arising out of natural and anthropic events.
- Contribute by strengthening the sectors and social participation and organization, with respect to the strategy for civic security and protection.

Methodology:

The course will be developed through activities similar to teaching conferences and workshops, during which the most up to date information on the topics proposed, will be shared, promoting ongoing participation and guaranteeing, through group dynamics, the development of tasks and activities (dynamics) that would allow for the completion of a teaching-participation-learning evaluation process.

Content and duration of the course:

The Risk and Crisis Management Course in the event of Hurricanes will run for 6 days, during which participants will receive 6 Instruction Modules:

Module 1: Risk Management
Module 2: Context of the Impact of Hurricanes
Module 3: Co-operation and Risk Management Policies
Module 4: Hurricane risk mitigation
Module 5: Warning, Response and Crisis Management Module 6: Cindynics and hurricane risk management
Schedule: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.