THE Government recently signed an agreement with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for a grant assistance of approximately US$13 million, to enhance the country’s infrastructural capacity and resilience to cope with natural disaster through the establishment of an islandwide communication response system.

The grant agreement, which is in the sum of JPY 1, 399,000,000, will be made available to the Government over a four-year period to finance the purchase of products and/or services necessary for the implementation of the project, which will be executed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM).

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the finance ministry in Kingston, Finance Minister Audley Shaw said the project is critical for public safety and security; fire rescue, search and rescue and medical emergencies; the local emergency operations centre and communities and areas prone to flooding, storm surges, landslides, and other hazards. It will provide, he added, a platform for emergency and/or disaster communication among various critical agencies of Government, first responders, major stakeholders, auxiliary services and community volunteers.

“The expected objectives of the project include the improved capacity and preparedness of the ODPEM to respond in the event of natural disasters and enhanced mechanisms to improve the timelines of the response and recovery following the impact if disasters and or emergency incidents at the national, parish and community levels as well as more effective coordination and communication among key stakeholders, during and after an event,” he added.

Minister Shaw, while thanking Japan for its assistance, said: “The Government of Jamaica continues to proactively seek opportunities to promote sustainable economic development and ensure citizen security and safety as a whole and we have taken steps to mitigate the devastating impact to life and property from occurrences such as hurricanes and storms.”

Ambassador of Japan to Jamaica Masanori Nakano, who was present for the signing of the exchange of notes and discussion records, said there is no way to escape natural disasters and that the best measure is to be well prepared.

“We (Japanese) have deeply learnt this very simple but poignant lesson and truth through our own experiences. During the calm moments we prepare and try to enhance infrastructure, as well as sensitise people through ongoing public education to build a resilient society,” he said.

Local Government and Development Minister Desmond McKenzie, meanwhile, praised the Japanese Government for its strong relationship with Jamaica, noting that its response in the area of natural disaster have been very positive.

“Today marks a another giant step between the relationship between Japan and the Government of Jamaica because in our response to disaster one of the major area of weakness is our capabilities to communicate during the period of disaster,” said McKenzie. The Japanese assistance, he added, will advance Jamaica’s capabilities to respond in a meaningful way to the threat of disasters.

However, the minister cautioned against abuse of the equipment and noted that he will be insisting that there be a major maintenance programme.

Major components to be delivered under the 23-month project, which will commence in the next six months, include the integration of the National Works Agency microwave network for data communication; installation of emergency communication systems at 24 repeater locations; installation of early warning sirens at 15 location in three communities; and the provision of radio equipment (transmission and reception devices) to key response entities. National and parish control stations, meanwhile, will be provided with a set of radio equipment and provision of deployable equipment for vulnerable communities which have been declared as disaster zones.