1. EVIDENCE & KNOWLEDGE IN
HUMANITARIAN ACTION
“Jamaica’s Experience and Learning”
28th ALNAP Meeting:
Host Government Forum on
Humanitarian Response
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

2. OUTLINE
1
• Jamaica a snapshot
2
• Experiences in Recent Events
3
• Mechanisms for Learning and Improvement
4
• Recommendations for Enhancement
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

3. OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

4. OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

5. JAMAICA
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Jamaica is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea,
comprising the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles.
Capital: Kingston
Area: 10,990 square kilometres (4,240 sq mi) in area
Population: 2,709,300 (2011)
Government: Constitutional monarchy, Parliamentary
system, Democracy
Independence: Full Independence 1962

6. Recent Experiences – Humanitarian Assistance
Experiences
• Hurricanes (Ivan 2004,
Dean 2007, TS Gustav
2008, Sandy 2012)
• Floods from severe
rainfall
• Fires
• Refugees
• Civil Disorder
Strengthens
• National Subcommittee
(WSRC)
• Similar structure at parish
levels
• One list/form approach
• Joint
Assessments/Distribution
• Limits duplication
• Respected NDMA
Weaknesses
• Subcommittees not
proactive
• Joint assessment
not consistent
• Weak Leadership in
some areas
• Political
Interference
• Limited/no tracking
of persons
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

7. Mechanisms for Learning & Improvement
Learning &
Improvement
in
Humanitarian
Actions
National Welfare,
Shelter & Relief
Clearance
Subcommittee
Parish Welfare,
Shelter & Relief
Clearance
Subcommittee
Post Hurricane
Season Debriefings
& Post Incident
Debriefings (Parish
& National)
Donor Group
Briefing/Debriefin
g sessions
Media
Anecdotal
accounts
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

8. Recommendations for Enhancement
Political Will and Leadership
Enhance Coordination
Build/Strengthen Partnerships
Build Community Resilience
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

9. Questions?
Horace Glaze
Senior Director – Preparedness
ODPEM
(876) 906-9674(5)
hglaze@odpem.org.jm
OFFICE OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT