Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Government of Canada have signed an MOU for the Canadian Armed Forces to move response teams and equipment to assist in the event of a disaster in the region.
The Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership & MOU aim to facilitate timely and targeted tactical support to the Caribbean through the Regional Response Mechanism, a statement issued by both parties explained.
CDEMA’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Riley extended her gratitude to the Government of Canada for its support and commitment towards bolstering disaster risk management in the region.
“This MOU is timely, given the complex multi-hazard realities of this region and the forecast for the 2024 Atlantic basin hurricane season of 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes,” she said.
Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee reaffirmed Canada’s support for the region.
“Canada has a long history of supporting its Caribbean neighbours and partners in times of disaster. However, as the severity of the hazard increases, so does the complexity of the response operation,” she observed.
She added: “We are delighted that Canada, through its Armed Forces, will be able to provide timely support to our friends at CDEMA—and by extension to the people of the Caribbean—when they need it most.”