Guided by the probability that a severe disaster impacting the Turks and Caicos Islands could render a significant percentage of the population homeless, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is mandated to establish a mechanism that provides emergency shelter for members of the public. The Government’s emergency shelter programme has over the years been a place of refuge to persons temporarily displaced resulting from a threatened alert or the impact of a disaster.
Given the recent experiences with major disasters within our region and the heightened awareness of Climate Change and Risk Management, the need to strengthen our shelter management capacity ahead of the 2022 Hurricane Season is critical. Hence, the DDME will be conducting a series of three-day training in Shelter Management throughout the Islands during March – April 2022.
The ultimate goal of the Shelter Management Programme is that all actors involved in Emergency Shelter Management in the Turks and Caicos Islands are well equipped with the indispensable knowledge, skills and resources to manage emergency shelters successfully.
The Shelter Management course will include both classroom activities and simulation exercises. This training provides clarity on the National Disaster management structure, Turks and Caicos Islands hazard vulnerabilities and much more. Participants will learn the Shelter Manager’s roles and responsibilities; how to set up the shelter, Recordkeeping, team management, guidance on best practice approaches and practical tools and protocols to effectively plan, implement and monitor Emergency Shelters in various situations.
On completion of the training, it is anticipated that the capacity with regards to Shelter Management within the Turks and Caicos and Caicos Islands will be enhanced. Trained persons will be able to operate an efficient shelter, and support emergency response functions when necessary,throughout the islands. The series of training is expected to draw persons from various agencies; governmental and non-governmental. Persons will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of the training and will be called upon as Shelter Managers should their assistance be required in an emergency.
See the training schedule below:
- North Caicos – 1st – 3rd March 2022 – Horse Stable Beach Community Center
- Middle Caicos – 8th – 10th March 2022 – Conch Bar Community Centre
- Grand Turk – 28th – 30th March 2022 – DDME Office – Conference Room
- South Caicos – 16th – 18th March 2022 – Community Centre
- Salt Cay – 21st – 23rd March 2022 – Salt Cay Club House
- Providenciales – 4th – 6th April 2022 – DDME Office
