The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) significantly enhanced their technological capacity on Monday, March 31st with the receipt of USD 85,000 in Information Technology (IT) Equipment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The equipment was handed over in a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Sustainable Development (Bladen’s Commercial Development) which houses the country’s National Designated Authority (NDA) to the GCF. In handing over the equipment, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Ms. Sherilita Dore-Tyson, highlighted the efforts of the Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment, in engaging international partners to secure their support for transformation efforts in St. Kitts and Nevis. She encouraged NEMA to use the equipment strategically to combat the effects of climate change (see video). In accepting the equipment, Mr. Livingston Pemberton, National Disaster Coordinator,….. (see comments on video)..
The equipment was procured as part of the Federation’s 4th Readiness Project funded by the GCF, which focused on building the capacity of the disaster management agencies, and meteorological services, to respond to climate change. As part of the project activities over the past two (2) years, NEMA and NDMD benefitted from the update of their disaster management plans and operational frameworks including improved staff/volunteer training manuals. An online Climate Data Repository was also created to improve climate-based decision-making by these agencies, and the country in general.
The hand-over of the equipment today marks the second occasion that the GCF has provided substantial technological resources to a government agency. In 2022, the MET offices on both St. Kitts and Nevis received over USD 30,000 in IT equipment as part of the GCF’s support to upgrade the capacity of the MET services, including improving the forecasting capability of the MET officers. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) will continue to provide support to national stakeholders to deal with the threat of climate change. Through its Readiness Support Programme, USD 8.3 million has already been provided to support government and other national institutions. Throughout 2025, the Ministry of Sustainable Development will also receive support to digitalize its land management and project management processes.
