sustainable development 20 years on from the ... - José Eli da Veiga

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Given their special circumstances, Caribbean governments have taken measures to integrate
disaster risk reduction strategies into both national and regional <strong>sustainable</strong> <strong>development</strong> strategies. In
addition, many countries are participating in the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency,
which ensures a coordinated response when countries request assistance after natural disasters (ECLAC,
<strong>20</strong>10b). Insurance schemes also play a significant role in managing risk (both financial and
environmental) and the effects of natural disasters in the region, but need to be strengthened and
broadened to include additional types of disasters in the area and other vulnerable sectors (such as
agriculture and infrastructure) (ECLAC, <strong>20</strong>10b) Other social protection mechanisms such as structural
conditional transfers to strengthen disaster resilience have been adopted not only in the Caribbean but also
in the whole region with almost 114 million beneficiaries. Structural conditional transfers contribute
indirectly to household resilience by enabling the accumulation of assets to buffer disaster losses.
Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago are some of the countries in the Caribbean
who have adopted this instrument.
Mainstreaming gender perspectives into disaster risk reduction strategies is also of importance, as
this ensures effective inclusion of women, who are affected differently by natural disasters partly because
of social, economic and political inequalities. Studies have shown that gender roles and customs increase
women’s vulnerability to natural disasters. However, if women are trained in disaster risk reduction and
early warning information reaches all of society, women will be better placed to prepare for and adapt to
the effects of natural hazards and their aftermath. The empowerment of women in disaster risk reduction
is particularly relevant as women head many households in the Caribbean (UNDP, <strong>20</strong>09b).
C. STEPS FOR FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The high-level segment of the five-year MSI review, held in September <strong>20</strong>10, highlighted a number of
issues to facilitate further implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action and the Mauritius
Strategy with the assistance of the international community including, among other things (United
Nations, <strong>20</strong>10a), the need to:
(i)
(ii)
“Enhance support for the efforts of SIDS to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change,
not least through the provision of dedicated sources of financing, capacity-building and the
transfer of appropriate technologies to address climate change;
Implement a preventive approach to natural disasters in SIDS, reducing risks and properly
integrating risk management into <strong>development</strong> policies and programmes;
(iii) Support the <strong>development</strong> and utilization of new and renewable sources of energy and foster
energy efficiency and conservation via financing from all sources, technical assistance and
capacity-building aimed at developing a <strong>sustainable</strong> energy sector;
(iv) Strengthen implementation of integrated coastal zone management strategies and enhance
scientific research capabilities;
(v) Enhance support for agricultural production, productivity and sustainability and help to
prioritize food security;
(vi) Promote <strong>sustainable</strong> tourism;
(vii) Enhance support for capacity-building for the <strong>development</strong> and further implementation of
freshwater, sanitation and waste management programmes;
(viii) Fully integrate SIDS into the multilateral trading system in accordance with the Doha
mandate on small economies.”