The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Caribbean Disaster Management Agency (CDEMA) have formalized their cooperation to enhance and strengthen technical support provided to IAEA Member States in the Caribbean in emergency preparedness and response. A Practical Arrangement outlining the terms of the collaboration was signed by Mr. Luis Longoria, Director of the Technical Cooperation Division for Latin America and the Caribbean (TCLAC), and Mr. Ronald Jackson, Executive Director of CDEMA. The Arrangement will remain valid for a period of three years.

CDEMA plays a key role in building and strengthening disaster resilience in the Caribbean region, and has a specific focus on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM). Mr. Jackson outlined CDEMA’s motivation for framing a partnership with the IAEA, noting the importance of advancing a Caribbean programme that will focus on radiation response readiness. With the IAEA contributing expertise in emergency preparedness and response for nuclear and radiological safety or security related incidents, collaboration between both Agencies will be of great benefit for the IAEA Member States in the Caribbean. The Practical Arrangement will allow for collaboration in capacity building, exchange of lessons learned, and in raising national and regional awareness regarding preparedness and response for nuclear or radiological emergencies.

This Practical Arrangement forms the basis for the implementation of the Action Plan that was developed between CDEMA and the IAEA to guide future cooperation.