Disaster Risk Reduction Consultant for the British Red Cross, Teresa Hanley, was in Anguilla as a guest of the Anguilla Red Cross. Her visit marks the first phase of a Risk Reduction initiative that is expected to contribute to a decrease in the vulnerability of persons in high-risk situations.

Ash Hodge, Teresa Hanley and other Red Cross representative

President of the Anguilla Red Cross Ash Hodge stated that Ms. Hanley’s presence on the island was the beginning of what would eventually be a five year Disaster Risk Reduction Programme for the British Overseas Territories. He remarked that in any country or settlement within a country, Governments and the relevant Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) would look at ways to reduce the chance of individuals being adversely affected by natural or man-made disasters.

“Even when there are no disasters there may be risks that exist on a day to day bases and we are looking into that as well,” Hodge noted. He said Red Cross was one of those NGOs at the forefront of these types of activities in Anguilla. The Red Cross President informed that things were being put in place to ensure that the organization could assist, wherever possible, to reduce the risks in disasters and in non-disaster situations.
Hodge pointed out that the Programme will be dynamic. “If the initiatives cease to be relevant due to situational changes the ideas can be adjusted to reflect and accommodate those changes,” he said.

Mr. Hodge revealed that joint funding for the Disaster Risk Reduction Programme was being sought from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
Ms. Hanley divulged that the British Red Cross was in the process of studying Six Island Territories with Red Cross Branches including Cayman Island, Bermuda, Montserrat, BVI, Turks and Caicos Islands and Anguilla. She said they were engaged in a number of meetings with various government departments including the “National Disaster Management Coordination Units.”
According to Hanley, communities and Red Cross Volunteers were also being considered in her fact-finding exercise. “We have also been meeting with the various staff and volunteers of Red Cross,” she said.

The Consultant echoed the President’s thoughts that, apart from the obvious risks such as hurricanes and floods, there might be day to day risks that people face such as HIV, drugs, and conflict between youth groups. She said she was also considering areas that were vulnerable to particular risks and any particular groups of people who might be more vulnerable than others such as older people living alone, disabled people and migrants without family support or with language barriers.

Hanley’s visit also involved a tour of the island and meetings with His Excellency the Governor, the Honourable Chief Minister, key Red Cross Officials, various Government Departments including Disaster Management and its affiliated agencies, the Anguilla Tourist Board, the HIV/AIDS Office, the Statistical Office, other NGOs and the National Trust.
Following the visit, the Anguilla Red Cross will take part in the development of an Outline Plan for the next five years to articulate the role it will take in response to a disaster and in communities in general. The Plan will be finalized at a meeting in Miami with the six participating territories and the British Red Cross prior to submission to DFID and the FCO. The plan is expected to meet the needs of communities as viewed by the persons living in them.

Ms. Hanley arrived on Anguilla on Friday September 18 and left on Wednesday September 23.
Meanwhile, President Hodge pointed out that the organization was “very vibrant” and encouraged members of the public to join. He said Red Cross across the world is a dynamic, vibrant group and here in Anguilla it was no different. According to Hodge, a number of steps were made to ensure those dynamic and vibrant characteristics existed locally. He commented that Anguilla has been quite successful in those achievements.
According to Hodge, a number of steps were made to ensure those dynamic and vibrant characteristics existed locally. He commented that Anguilla has been quite successful in those achievements.
The Anguilla Red Cross comprises seven subcommittees. They are Disaster Preparedness, Tracing and Communication, Health and Community, Legal and Fund Rising, Youth and Peer Education, Vulnerable Migrants and First Aid.

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