USAID Hurricane Disaster Preparations for the 2004 Atlantic Hurricane Season
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
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2004-017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) hurricane season preparations for 2004 are underway for what is expected to be an active hurricane season. Forecasts for the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30) indicate an above average total activity, potentially triggering a humanitarian disaster of significant magnitude.
USAID is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance in response to major hurricanes in Latin America and the Caribbean. USAID's ongoing disaster preparations include contingency planning for emergencies, staff readiness to deploy on relief teams and risk management training programs for Latin American and Caribbean countries.
Regional Presence
USAID has a team of advisors, available for immediate deployment in response to disasters throughout the region in San José, Costa Rica and Bridgetown, Barbados. USAID also manages a wide network of Latin American field staff who are a direct link to the countries in the hemisphere.
Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)
Following a devastating disaster and a request from the affected county, a disaster declaration is issued by the U.S. Ambassador and a DART may be deployed to provide emergency humanitarian assistance. DARTs commonly provide short-term disaster relief and coordination. Relief commodities are strategically located in Miami, Florida and Soto Cano, Honduras and include medical supplies, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, five-gallon water jugs and wool blankets.
Risk Management and Mitigation Activities
USAID's Risk Management Training Program (RMTP) provides year-round instruction in disaster management concepts and training methodology. Technical disciplines such as search and rescue and shelter management are also shown to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The RMTP also offers technical assistance and advises on emergency planning and mitigation efforts.
The primary goals of the RMTP:
- To help local and national authorities achieve the capabilities needed to respond to disasters and;
- To instill autonomy in the region by providing participants with the knowledge and skills required to replicate the training program.
Since the establishment of the RMTP in 1989, the program has had more than 34,000 participants and certified more than 2,100 active instructors. USAID also provides grants for preparedness and mitigation activities focusing on community-level natural hazard mitigation, early warning systems, and community preparedness training in the Caribbean and Central America.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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