Grenada

From HFA-PEDIA

Jump to: navigation, search

1 HFA National Reports
2 National Platform:
3 HFA National Focal Point:
4 Other contacts
5 Country Profile:
6 Climate change
7 Progress towards the implementation of the HFA
8 Other Areas:
9 Other Documents:
10 Web Links:

HFA National Reports

National Report 2007:

National Report 2006:

National Report 2005:

National Platform:

No National Platform Reported

HFA National Focal Point:

National Disaster Management Agency

Address: Fort Frederick, Mt. Wheldale, St.Georges,

Phone: (+1-473) 440-0838 / Fax:(+473) 440-6674

Contact person: Sylvan Mclntyre, Acting National Disaster Coordinator

E-mail: nadma@spiceisle.com

Website: http://www.spiceisle.com/nero

Other contacts

Permanent Mission of Grenada to the United Nations in Geneva

Chief:

His Excellency Mr. Georges Cohen

Ambassador

Permanent Representative-designate

Address: Route de Vandoeuvres 56, 1253 Vandoeuvres

Tel: +(41-22) 533-1209, Fax: +(41-22) 722-0999

E-mail: grenada.mission@gmail.com

UNDP resident coordinator:

Ms. Rosina Wiltshire, Resident Representative, Res Coordinator UNDP

UN House - Marine Gardens, Hastings - P.O. Box 625C, Christ Church - Bridgetown - Barbados (PNY)

Phone:(+1246)467-6000

Fax:(+1246)429-2448

E-mail: registry.bb@undp.org

Website: http://www.bb.undp.org

Grenada Red Cross:

Contact Person: Mr Terry Charles, Director

Address: Upper Lucas Street, Apdo. 551 St. Georges, Granada,

Phone: (+473) 440-1483 / Fax: (473) 440-1829

E-mail: grercs@caribsurf.com

Website: http://grenada.caribbeanredcross.org/

Ministry of Education and Labour

Address: Ministerial Complex, Botanical Gardens, Tanteen St. George's, Grenada, W.I.

Contact Person: Honourable Claris Charles, Minister of Education and Labour

Phone: (+473) 4402737 / Fax: (+473) 4406650

Website: www.grenadaedu.com

Ministry of Health:

Contact person: Senator Hon. Ann David-Antoine, Minister for Health,Social Security, Environment and Ecclesiastic Affairs

Address: Ministerial Complex , Botanical Gardens, Southern Wing 1st & 2nd Floor, Botanical Gardens, Tanteen, St. George's, Grenada

Phone: (+473) 440-2649/2846/3485/4747/4955 / Fax: (+473) 440-4127,

E-Mail: min-healthgrenada@spiceisle.com

CDERA member:

Contact Person: Ms. Joyce Thomas, National Disaster Coordinator (Actg),

Address: National Emergency Relief Organization, Fort Frederick, St Georges,

Phone: (+473) 440-0838/8390-4 / Fax: (+473) 440-6674,

E-mail: nero@caribsurf.com

Website: hwww.spiceisle.com/nero

Country Profile:

Official name: Grenada

Capital: Saint George's

Population: 89,971 (July 2007 est.)

Area: 344 sq km

Religion: Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Language: English (official), French patois

Ethnic groups: Black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5% , and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Government: parliamentary democracy

Currency: East Caribbean dollar

In recent history, Grenada had been spared from major hurricanes and its residents had become accustomed to the fact that they were living "outside of the hurricane belt". Hurricane Janet of 1955 had been the last memorable hurricane, and history recounted Great Floods only in 1921 and 1938. On September 7, 2004, however, Grenada was taken by surprise by Hurricane Ivan. 37 people died, 90% of buildings and infrastructure were destroyed and 50% of the population became homeless. Water, power supply and telecommunication systems were struck down, and the backbone of the country's economy (tourism and agriculture) will take years to recover. As the destruction greatly outweighed the national coping capacity, a large international relief and rehabilitation programme was launched.

The recent disaster has had a significant impact on the hazard situation of the islands. Many forested areas were destroyed, adding to the already emerging problem of desertification. Apart from hurricanes, another significant risk is that of earthquakes and volcanic activity. Mount St Catherine has had unusual episodes of rumblings in the 1980s and a late 1990s. The active submarine volcano Kick 'em Jenny lies at about 5 miles north of the village of Sauteurs. It has erupted 10 times since 1939, making it one of the most active volcanoes in the region and posing a direct threat to commercial shipping and pleasure boats. It is expected to generate hazardous tsunamis during future eruptions. A monitoring system has been set up at Sauteurs and gauges have been installed on the Sisters Islands which lie at around 3 miles from the crater.

The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) is the body responsible for coordinating all disaster related activities on the island. It was established in 1985, and is guided by the National Disaster Plan of that same year. A National Emergency Advisory Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, brings together key persons from government departments, the private sector and non-governmental organisations. There is no specific disaster legislation, yet the Emergency Act is used as necessary and provides powers to the State in the event of emergencies.

Hazard mappings and assessments have been done for volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, coastal erosion and storms. A national GIS database for hazard risks is being developed.

At the local level, civil society is involved in District Disaster Committees and a private-sector disaster management plan was developed jointly between the private sector and NaDMA. Both the Government Information Service and NaDMA disseminate information to the public, using, among other media, radio and TV. In February 2005, NaDMA received assistance from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) for a short-term media consultant, a contingency planning specialist and a community disaster specialist. The community disaster specialist is very instrumental in producing and presenting disaster preparedness programs at the community level. Educational programs related to disaster risk reduction are implemented at the primary level for the fifth grade. A teacher's manual and student handbook has been developed for this purpose. Disaster risk education is now being institutionalised at the tertiary level.

Sources: UN/ISDR the Americas / CIA Factbook