TCI Disaster Management Director Leads CARICOM Haiti Support Team

Dr Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has been officially deployed to Haiti by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Coordinating Unit (CU) to assist authorities in Haiti affected by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Southern Region of Haiti on Saturday, August 14.

Dr. Virginia Clerveaux (centre), Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is flanked by Minister Arlington Musgrove and Jenika Laporte, Head of Secretariat at the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services, who saw her off to her assignment in Haiti, at the Providenciales International Airport.

The DDME stated that in accordance with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Agreement of 2009 and the Regional Disaster Response Support Doctrine (RDRSD), the Turks and Caicos Islands Government agrees to render support to CARICOM Nationals through the Regional Response Mechanism.

Dr. Clerveaux, commencing August 18, will spend seven days supporting the Government of the Republic of Haiti, through the Department of Civil Protection as the Team Leader of CDEMA’s CARICOM Operational Support Team member.

The CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST) provides direct surge support to augment the Emergency Operations Centre capacity during this crisis period. Dr Clerveaux’s training, technical expertise, and deployment experience are among the factors informing her deployment to support crisis operations like this in Haiti.

Dr Clerveaux stated that she is, “humbled to be selected as one of the persons to respond to our sister country that is in need. It gives me a sense of pride in the regional collaboration to support Haiti in its time of need.

“Although this deployment is occurring during the Hurricane Season, I am confident that my experienced team at the DDME will continue to monitor and update the public of any potential threat and I urge the public to continue their preparedness and to remain vigilant.

“I will be in constant contact with the staff of the DDME and the Governor to ensure that national emergency operations are in no way jeopardized”.

Hon. Arlington Musgrove, Minister with responsibility for Disaster Management stated: “It is important that the residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands recognize that we live in a region that is prone to multiple hazards.

“While we are familiar with hurricanes, other hazards can impact us just as our neighbours in Haiti. This deployment is an opportunity for Dr. Clerveaux to lend her expertise and leadership skills to our neighbours in need. Her exposure and experience in this deployment will benefit the Turks and Caicos Islands in the long run.

“I have met with Team DDME on Monday and in the absence of Dr. Clerveaux, I am confident that they are competent and ready to facilitate our preparedness and response in the event that we are impacted by any natural disaster. The Turks and Caicos Islands wishes Dr. Clerveaux safe travels during this deployment.”