By Rashad Rolle From Tribune 242

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) will hold its ninth annual Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management in New Providence on Monday.

The event, which will be held at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort, will focus on Hurricane Joaquin under the theme: “The Road to Resilience: Checkpoint 2015.”

Among the speakers will be Captain Stephen Russell, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); Anthony Robert, a member of the delegation of the European Union to the Eastern Caribbean Countries; Adriel Brathwaite, QC, and Chairman of the CDEMA Council; Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of CDEMA; and Arnold Forbes, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development.

In addition, Island Administrator from Long Island, Terece Bootle Bethel, will also be a panellist, bringing her perspective from one of the islands hardest hit by the hurricane.

Representatives of airline companies who flew hundreds of flights into the impacted region to deliver goods and provide key services – including Paul Aranha, of Trans-Island Airways – will also contribute on air support and private sector views.

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Urban Development Philip “Brave” Davis will chair a high level session.

The panellists there will examine lessons in Disaster Risk Management (DRM) investment emerging from hazard impacts/experiences.

An Awards and Gala Dinner will also be held on Thursday evening.

In a statement, NEMA Capt Russell said: “The Bahamas, through NEMA, is pleased to host the high level conference as participating states, Dominica and The Bahamas, continue to rebuild livelihoods following the destructive Tropical Storm Erika and the category four Hurricane Joaquin, respectively.”

For more on this story go to: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2015/nov/27/aribbean-disaster-emergency-management-agency-hold/