Shirlian Queeley completed the 15-week course which equipped officers with the “soft” skills of leadership, strategic programme management and relationship management, through which they can build high-performing teams and increase operational efficiency.
The intense training course covered the following modules, through a blend of theory and practical application: Strategic Management, Leadership, Financial Management, Project Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER) and Results-based Reporting, Proposal Writing and Effective Crisis Communications and Incident Management.
The Regional Training Centre (RTC) of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) facilitated the Strategic Leadership Programme for Senior Officers of National Disaster Organizations (NDO) n thirteen(13) CDEMA participating states, and was delivered by the UWI-Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus.
This course was funded through the “Strengthening of the Capacity of CDEMA Participating States and CDEMA CU for implementation of CDM” project, financed by the European Union.
Mr Ryan served as a District Disaster Chairperson on Montserrat for forty (40) years. He started in 1980 as the District Disaster Chairperson for Kinsale and surrounding areas in the exclusion zone.
Following the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano, Mr Ryan relocated to Cudjoe Head, and despite being forced to flee from his home, his love for disaster management never ceased. At Cudjoe Head, he served as District Disaster Chairperson for Cudjoe Head and its environs.
After completing his family dwelling, Mr Ryan moved to Davy Hill where he assumed the role of District Disaster Chairperson for the communities of Davy Hill, Carrs Bay and Little Bay to assist individuals who evacuated from the south of the island due to volcanic activities, until his retirement in 2021.
We wish to convey our deepest condolences to his family and friends and all others who are saddened by his loss.
May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace, and rise in glory.
Mr Ryan’s love for helping individuals is so evident that even though he retired as District Disaster Chairperson he would still make an effort to attend all District Disaster Chairperson meetings organized by the DMCA and would provide a valuable contribution.
Photo: Mr Ryan accepting an award from DMCA in 2021 for his loyalty and dedication to the field of disaster management on Montserrat as a volunteer for 40 years.
The Theme for this year is “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind”. The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness about human trafficking and to promote and protect the rights of trafficking victims.
While no activities are planned locally to mark the day, in this case, raising awareness is an important part of the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA)’s work, and is the crucial first step towards ensuring residents understand modern slavery and human trafficking.
Disasters, whether man-made or natural, have the potential to increase an individual’s vulnerability to human trafficking. Man-made disasters include political conflict, war, and terrorism. Natural disasters typically refer to the effects of climate change and extreme weather events such as droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and floods. Disasters worsen vulnerabilities to human trafficking by creating problems such as displacement, public infrastructure failure, financial strain, and emotional distress.
Human trafficking is the act of compelling someone to work, for little or no pay, through force, fraud, or coercion.
Leave no one behind” is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
vector illustration of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons poster or banner design
That’s according to the 2 PM tropical cyclone information statement issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.
It states that Tropical disturbance AL95 is very unlikely to become a tropical cyclone before reaching the eastern Caribbean; hence, at the reasonable worst-case scenario, the system poses little threat to Montserrat. Nevertheless, you should have your hurricane disaster plan prepared for the hurricane season and monitor this disturbance until it is out of the area.
At 2 pm, Tropical Disturbance AL95 was centred about 570 miles southeast of the leeward islands and about 440 miles east of the windward Islands moving west at around 20 mph.
Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph with higher gusts. Some slow development is possible during the next 48 hours; the system has a 20 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next couple of hours.
Please note that no alerts, watches or warnings are currently in effect for the area and none is expected for this system.
Residents should continue to monitor tropical disturbance AL95 and ensure that they have their hurricane season plans prepared.
An update will be given around 2 pm tomorrow, or sooner if required.
The DMCA will continue to monitor the system and provide regular updates as deemed necessary.
Nevertheless, this assessment is subject to change; to be safe, residents are advised to have their hurricane disaster plan prepared and closely monitor this disturbance until it is out of the area, according to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.
It states that given the high uncertainty of the development, there is little confidence in the eventual strength and size of this system.
At 8:00 am, Tropical Disturbance AL95 is located several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands. While this system has not become significantly better organized since yesterday, some slow development remains possible during the next couple of days while it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic and into the eastern Caribbean Sea. Regardless of development, locally heavy rains and strong gusty winds are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles during the next day or two.
The system has a 20 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and 20 percent in seven days.
Based on the forecast model tracks, the system could be at the nearest point to the area on Tuesday. At this time, it could be a minimal tropical cyclone and may Possibly bring storm-force gusts to the islands and hazardous seas. Impacts, if any, are expected to be minimal.
Please note that no alerts, watches or warnings are currently in effect for the area and none might be needed for this system.
Residents should continue to monitor tropical disturbance AL95 and ensure that they have their hurricane season plans prepared.
An update will be given around 2 pm Today or sooner if required.
The DMCA will continue to monitor the system and provide regular updates as deemed necessary.
That’s According to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services.
It states that it’s closely following the progress of AL95 and given the high uncertainty of the development and forecast track, there is little confidence in the eventual strength, size and path of this system. However, in the reasonable worst-case scenario, AL95 poses little threat to the islands. Nevertheless, this assessment is subject to change, to be safe, have your hurricane disaster plan prepared and closely monitor this disturbance until it is out of the area.
At 8: 00 AM – Tropical Disturbance AL95 was located about 900 miles east of the Windward Islands. Although environmental conditions are only forecast to be marginally conducive for some gradual development, this system could still become a tropical depression during the next few days while it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic and eastern Caribbean Sea.
The system has a 30 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in 48 hours and 40 percent in seven days.
Based on the forecast model tracks, the system could be at the nearest point to the area on Monday or Tuesday. At this time, it is likely to be a minimal tropical cyclone and could bring storm-force gusts to the islands and hazardous seas. Impacts, if any, are expected to be minimal.
Please note that no alerts, watches or warnings are currently in effect for the area; however, an alert is possible.
Residents on Montserrat should closely monitor Tropical Disturbance AL95 and ensure that they have their hurricane season plans prepared.
An update will be given around 2 pm today, or sooner if required.
The DMCA will continue to monitor the system and provide regular updates as deemed necessary.
According to an Air Quality Bulletin issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, active children and adults, and, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Synopsis: The air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.
Air quality index: 51 to 80
Alert Level: II
Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.
Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is advising residents who are unusually sensitive to dust particles to be vigilant, due to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere! Residents with respiratory issues such as asthma should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
The DMCA is further advising residents to limit dust entering their system as best as possible by using masks and protective eyewear. Any masks that filter small particles should be worn such as a surgical mask, N95 and KN95 when going outside.
Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat.
According to an Air Quality Bulletin issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, active children and adults, and, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Synopsis: The air quality is down to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.
Air quality index: 51 to 80
Alert Level: II
Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.
Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is advising residents who are unusually sensitive to dust particles to be vigilant, due to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere! Residents with respiratory issues such as asthma should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.
The DMCA is further advising residents to limit dust entering their system as best as possible by using masks and protective eyewear. Any masks that filter small particles should be worn such as a surgical mask, N95 and KN95 when going outside.
Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat.
According to a Small Craft Advisory issued by Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions.
Synopsis: A combination of wind waves and wind swells is expected to cause hazardous seas, especially on the Atlantic sides of the islands. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of mariners is to rise to moderate with the potential for significant impacts. A small craft advisory means that wind speeds of 21 to 33 knots and or wind waves and or wind swells of 7 feet or greater are occurring or imminent.
Winds Over Open Waters: East-southeast at 24 to 37 km/h (13 to 20 knots; 15 to 23 mph), with strong gusts to 57 km/h (31 knots; 36 mph).
Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3 metres (10 feet). Wind waves and or wind swells of 1.5 to 2.4 metres or 5 to 8 feet and occasionally higher. The dominant wind-wave period is 6 to 9 seconds. Seas will peak on Wednesday.
Potential Impacts: Loss of life at sea; injuries to mariners; capsize or damage or loss of vessels and marine equipment; financial losses; disruption of fisheries and scarcity of fish products and disruption to marine transportation.
26 years ago, on Wednesday, June 25, 1997; after two years after the start of volcanic activities on Montserrat; 19 people tragically lost their lives at approximately 12:55 pm, when a dome collapsed at the Soufriere Hills Volcano occurred.
In the following 25 minutes, a series of devastating flows (the largest pyroclastic flows to date) swept the northern flanks of the volcano, down Mosquito Ghaut and followed the Paradise River almost to the sea
The flows and associated surge clouds damaged or destroyed between 100 to 150 houses, with the villages of Streatham, Dyers, Harris, Bethel, Bramble, Trants, Farms and Spanish Point.
Initially, 8 people were confirmed dead, and a further 11 were missing. Five people also suffered serious burns.
Today, as we reflect and remember the June 25th, 1997 catastrophic volcanic eruption, we take a moment of silence to mourn and pay our respect to the nineteen individuals who lost their lives in the eastern corridors where the fertile lands were located, engaging in sustenance farming, to supply not only their households but also the wider Montserrat community.
Montserrat, due to its geographical location and is situated in a seismically active region is vulnerable to many natural and man-made hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tropical storms, flash floods, lahars, landslides, fires, pandemics, cyberattacks and terrorism among many others. Hence, developing a “culture of disaster preparedness is a must.
Creating a culture of preparedness is much more than creating an emergency supply kit and a disaster plan to protect families and businesses. It means examining and preparing for all types of natural hazards that can impact your homes, businesses, and communities. Establishing a Culture of Preparedness also means residents practicing their emergency plans with formal and informal drills and exercises and ensuring that adult family and business members can activate the plan. Also, a culture of Preparedness includes regular updates to family, business, and organizational emergency plans and emergency contact information for the ultimate protection of families and businesses.
The power of “simple things” such as setting up personal emergency plans together with your family and friends by discussing emergency contacts, meeting points, means of communication etc. Use simple reminders to have these emergency plans and information readily available, e.g., as a pic on your mobile phone, in your purse, or to stick on the fridge. Also, be on the lookout for publicly displayed information about how to prepare for emergencies or disasters.
Disaster preparedness, combined with updated risk information, and timely assessments of damages and needs, are critical to responding to any potential hazard impact.
