EHF/USAID Hands over Multi-Hazard Mapping, Vulnerability Assessment, and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies Final Report

On Tuesday May 28, 2013, the Environmental Health Foundation (EHF) handed over copies of the Multi-Hazard Mapping, Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies Final Report conducted on Cedar Valley in St. Thomas, to four (4) of the key stakeholders on the EHF/USAID Climate Change Project, Cedar Valley, St. Thomas.  The ceremony took place at EHF’s office, 39 Lady Musgrave Road, Kingston 5 at 10:00am. Among the recipients were representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the St. Thomas Parish Council.

The report, prepared by the Civil Environmental and Coastal Solutions (CEAC), forms part of the groundbreaking achievement by the EHF/USAID Climate Change Adaptation: Disaster Risk Management Project. It is the first known comprehensive report of this nature conducted on Cedar Valley, St. Thomas and is comprised of several components including a multi-hazard analysis, vulnerability and risk assessment, socio-economic profile of the community and disaster risk reduction strategies.

Cedar Valley, St. Thomas is one community that is particularly susceptible to climate change shocks.  Accordingly, the implementation of the project in the community is aimed at building resilience to such shocks, while improving the management of land and other natural resources in the community.  The project emphasizes the building of climate change resilience and adaptation to boost and secure livelihoods and quality of life through agriculture, water storage and conservation, and the protection of natural resources. The EHF/USAID Climate Change project is being implemented over a three years period and is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with cost share from the Environmental Health Foundation (EHF). 

The handover of this crucial document was featured on Nationwide News Report on June 2-3, 2013 and in the Jamaica Observer on June 05, 2013, kindly see the link below for your perusal.

http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/news/Comprehensive-report-on-Cedar-Valley-s-response-to-climate-change-completed_14420419

Above: (L-R)  Suzanne Ebert, Director of Environment and Health, USAID receives a copy of the Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Risk Redution Final Report from Mrs. Novlet Deans, CEO/Director, EHF Group of Companies

Above: (L-R) Michelle Edwards, Senior Director for Preparedness and Emergency Operations Division – ODPEM receives a copy of the Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction Final Report from Mrs. Novlet Deans, CEO/Director, EHF Group of Companies and  Patina Rankine, Project Officer, EHF/USAID Climate Change Project

Above: (L-R) Nicola George-McCool, Assistant to Her Worship, The Mayor Marsha Francis, St. Thomas Parish Council receives a copy of the Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction Final Report from Mrs. Novlet Deans, CEO/Director, EHF Group of Companies

Above: (L-R) Dwight Forrester, Project Coordinator, EHF/USAID Climate Change Project; Patina Rankine, Project Officer, EHF/USAID Climate Change Project; Tanesha Samuels, Procurement Specialist, EHF/USAID Climate Change Project; Hopeton Peterson, Manager of Sustainable Development and Regional Planning, PIOJ; Suzanne Ebert, Director of Environment and Health, USAID; Mrs. Novlet Deans, CEO/Director, EHF Group of Companies; Doneika Simms, Urban and Regional Planner, PIOJ; Jennie Franks, Peace Corps Volunteer, RADA and EHF/USAID Climate Change Project