The Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has been guaranteed support for their hurricane risk reduction programme from the United States Government. At a recent signing Ceremony at the OECS Secretariat in Castries, to formally launch the partnership programme, between the OECS and USAID,

Dr Len Ishmael, Director General of the OECS expressed gratitude to the USAID for what she described as “a very speedy move from talk to action.”Dr Ishmael said the programme of collaboration is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of the communities of the OECS, a sub-region of less than 600,000 people, urgently requiring resources to assist them in securing their homes and properties and thereby reduce their vulnerability to natural disasters. Dr Ishmael added, “For small islands, the scale of resources needed to recover from, as well as, prepare for natural disasters, is non-existent. It is therefore a very good day for us, as we embrace the gesture of goodwill from the USAID for their assistance in making this programme practical.”

A multi-discipline team from the OECS Secretariat arrives in Grenada Tuesday 26^th July  to begin a macro socio-economic assessment of the damage from hurricane Emily which hit the island July 13^th, affecting houses, public buildings, the agriculture sector, infrastructure and the environment.

The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the OECS Environment and Sustainable Development Unit OECSESDU advised postponement of the meeting since the current weather pattern disrupted plans such as flight operations and uncertainty regarding the participation of delegates.

The EPC meeting was scheduled for Thursday July 14 th in Antigua and Barbuda.

OECS Environment Ministers will begin meeting in St. John’s this week for their 9 th session of the OECS Environment Policy committee (EPC).