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Contact:
Julita Peter
Friday, February 25, 2005 - The final report of The Study of Hazard Maps,
Vulnerability Assessments and Digital Maps in the Caribbean has been officially
released. The study was commissioned by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency
Response Agency (CDERA), as an important first step for knowing the status of
these tools, and to compile a database of relevant information and materials.
The study, which was conducted in 20 English, French and Spanish-speaking
Caribbean states, revealed that a number of hazard maps were available across
the region, but few countries were maximizing their use, with the exception of
Martinique and Puerto-Rico, where the use of vulnerability assessments in the
planning process is legally enforced.
Fourteen recommendations have been made as a result of the findings of the
study, which if implemented could help in reducing the losses resulting from a
disaster. The study was conducted by the Centre for Geospatial Studies, Faculty
of Engineering, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.
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