Governor John S. Duncan OBE (left) and Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith. Photo: VINO

Mr Denniston S. Fraser, Managing Director, signed on the behalf of the BVIAA, Ms Sarah E. Hatcher for the IABVI. Photo: VINO

Information and Education Manager at DDM Philomena N. Robertson said that the agreement with the BVIAA is an important one for the department as efforts are being made in the BVI to reduce risk and improve resilience. Photo: VINO

The signing ceremony, which was chaired by His Excellency the Governor John S. Duncan, was held at Maria’s by the Sea on Wickham's Cay I. According to Governor Duncan, such agreements are important for the DDM as it formalises partnership arrangements with various stakeholders in the continued pursuit of comprehensive disaster management in the territory.

Mr Denniston S. Fraser, Managing Director of the BVIAA, signed on behalf of the BVIAA, while Ms Sarah E. Hatcher signed for the IABVI and Governor Duncan for NDMC. Present as witnesses were Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith and Deputy Governor Ms V. Inez Archibald.

In his address, Governor Duncan noted that one of the critical aspects of the NDM programme is that of resource mobilisation. “As a government we cannot always provide all resources needed to manage and operate a disaster management programme. We must also look to form partnerships with stakeholders in the private sector locally, regionally and internationally,” he said.

The Governor also said that it is expected that through the MoU/Agreement between the IABVI and the DDM there will be a facilitation of greater incentives for businesses and individuals in the areas of business continuity and protection of properties.

On the part of the BVIAA, the Governor said Mr Fraser has been working with the DDM on a MoU which supports the acquisition of data from weather stations owned by the BVIAA.

Spirit of Cooperation

The agreement with the BVIAA seeks to promote a spirit of cooperation and understanding in the execution of the territory’s disaster management programme; share expertise and skills; strengthen the capacity of both agencies to deliver mutually agreed services; as well as develop an understanding of the terms, conditions and circumstances under which the infrastructure as well as the human, physical and financial resources of the DDM and the collaborating agency may be used in support of each other’s objectives.

The BVIAA and the DDM have had years of collaboration but today’s agreement formalises that commitment to working together.

Information and Education Manager at DDM, Philomena N. Robertson said the agreement with the BVIAA is an important one for the department as efforts are being made in the VI to reduce risk and improve resilience.

“Through this MoU, the DDM and IABVI pledge to work together to promote sustainable insurance as a way to reduce risk, develop innovative solutions, improve business performance, and contribute to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the territory,” she said.

Both agreements are part of ongoing efforts by the DDM to further engage stakeholders in disaster risk reduction initiatives to improve resilience in the VI.

The agreements are also in keeping with the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and Programming Framework which guides the work of the DDM.

Similar agreements have been signed with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, BVI Red Cross and the three telecommunications providers in the VI: CCT, Digicel and LIME.