On November 21, 2018, Minister of National Security the Honourable Stuart R. Young, M.P. hosted a meeting with the United States Southern Command to discuss Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the National Disaster Preparedness Baseline Assessment (NDPBA) programme.
The NDPBA is being undertaken by the Pacific Disaster Centre (PDC) throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region and is sponsored by the United States Southern Command. Minister Young has welcomed the opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to work with the PDC in order to build this nation’s disaster response preparedness.
The aim of the project is to conduct assessments which will identify this country’s challenges and provide recommendations for strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s disaster preparedness and response system. The NDPBA project will benefit Trinidad and Tobago by providing a baseline for evidence-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) decision-making.
The Ministry of National Security will work with the United States Southern Command and the PDC, along with other key ministries over the next year to improve and build capacity in preparing for, and responding to disasters.
Minister Young thanked the PDC and US Southern Command for this partnership and looks forward to achieving improvements and capacity building over the next year.