The Penal/Debe region is considered one of the most disaster-prone areas in the country.
On Friday, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management launched National Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Month (NDPPM) activities at Bakal Grounds in Penal, focusing on community-level action and raising awareness, particularly in flood-prone areas.
ODPM CEO, Retired Major General Rodney Smart, said a detailed assessment in 2022 by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the University of the West Indies revealed that the community was at risk.
He said dealing with disaster reduction starts at the community level.
“This was based largely on the high number of flood incidents reported over time defining a turning point and shaped several interventions, for example in May and June 2023, two years ago, the ODPM partnered with the GIS Society of Trinidad and Tobago and Parvati Girls’ Hindu College to implement an initiative aimed at empowering young women to play active roles in disaster risk reduction.”
Mr. Smart said 18% of all flood reports nationally came from the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation. He said communities such as Suchit Trace, Debe Trace, Woodland, and Clarke Road were all impacted by heavy rains, resulting in property damage and disruption to livelihoods. He said the ODPM and, by extension, the National Disaster and Preparedness Multisectoral Committee remain committed to supporting the corporation.
“Once called upon, we will continue to provide direct response and relief support to the Regional Corporation ensuring timely coordination with the Disaster Management Unit , community groups and civil society organisations to meet urgent needs and support household damage assessments.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Penal Debe Regional Corporation Satragie Maharaj said the event creates awareness for the various hazards the country faces – as well as promotes an increased level of attentiveness, alertness, and readiness.
“This year’s theme of flooding mitigation being prepared in order to be resilient is very applicable to the municipality of the Penal/Debe with approximately 50% of its 250 square kilometres located in the Oropouche lagoon, flooding, particularly riverine flooding, negatively affects the region yearly.”
As efforts continue to support high-risk areas like Penal/Debe, the ODPM and local authorities are urging all citizens to play their part in reducing disaster risks.
There was also a multisectoral exhibit which allowed agencies like the Meteorological Service of T&T, Habitat for Humanity, the T&T Red Cross Society and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network to educate the public on their role in disaster prevention and preparedness.