DAIC champions Disaster Risk Reduction efforts

Executive Director of The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) and Global ARISE Board Member, Lizra Fabian says the DAIC has been championing the Disaster Risk Reduction actions of the network of Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM) in creating a Business Continuity Planning Toolkit.

This toolkit has been designed for Chambers of Commerce across the Caribbean region to support businesses in using a simplified approach to preventing disasters and mitigating risk through the use of BCPs. A BCP guide and editable template are available for free to support businesses.

The kit is being done in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Office for the Americas and the Caribbean and ARISE ( Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies) Canada Member – McAllister & Craig Disaster Management Inc.

DAIC has been enhancing international cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction through ARISE and through its recent grant award by Karayib Klima through a coalition with the Chambers of Commerce in St. Lucia and Martinique.

On October 13^th 2021, DAIC recognized the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR). The United Nations General Assembly has designated this date to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), International Day for DRR is an opportunity to acknowledge the progress being made toward reducing disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015- 2030 adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Japan in March 2015.

This year, the focus is on Sendai Target (f) to substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for implementation of the present Framework by 2030.

“We are delighted that through the Chamber Coalition, we are taking a closer look at reducing the impact of Climate Change on businesses by introducing adaptation measures,” Fabien stated in a press release. “These measures will provide simplified and clear actions to reduce the impact of climate change hazards and risks such as extreme weather events including flooding and coastal change, water scarcity, extreme heat, wildfires, storms, among others.”

She said the initiative will also increase the capacity of the Chambers and national partners to provide psychosocial support to the business community.

DAIC recognizes the work of the Government of Dominica in enhancing the resilience of Dominica, however, Fabien is calling for increased cooperation to strengthen “our fulfillment of the Sendai Framework and other local and global commitments.”

“Despite the increasing costs and investments needed to prevent and mitigate the impact of disasters, it is important for the public and private sector as well as every citizen, to strengthen our resilience through cooperation among neighbors, communities, businesses, organizations and countries,” she points out. “Everyone is called upon to improve individual and collective actions to reduce our risk of disasters as we continue to strive to make Dominica resilient.”