CDEMA, mapping charity renew partnership to strengthen disaster response

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has renewed a key regional partnership aimed at improving disaster response coordination, with a fresh agreement focused on boosting the use of real-time mapping and data in emergencies.

MapAction, a UK-based humanitarian organisation that specialises in providing mapping and geospatial data to support disaster response, will continue to work alongside CDEMA under the updated arrangement.

The renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a stakeholder workshop for the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy 2030, held in Barbados on Friday. The agreement was formalised by CDEMA executive director Elizabeth Riley and MapAction’s director of GIS, Greg Fricz.

The updated agreement will continue to focus on improving geospatial information management, preparedness, and operational support during emergencies among CDEMA’s 20 participating states.

The partnership underscores the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing regional resilience, Riley said.

“This renewed agreement with MapAction reflects our shared commitment to leveraging innovation, data, and collaboration to strengthen disaster preparedness and response across our 20 Participating States,” she said.

Reliable geospatial information remains critical to informed decision-making before, during, and after emergencies, she added, noting that the partnership continues to add “tremendous value” to the regional disaster management system.

Fricz said MapAction was proud to continue supporting CDEMA and its member states through enhanced mapping and geospatial analysis capabilities.

“This updated MOU reinforces our collective goal of ensuring that emergency responders and decision-makers have access to accurate, timely information when it matters most,” he said.

The agreement also outlines cooperation in technical support, geospatial data sharing, capacity building, training, and deployment support during disaster response operations. 

(SB)