Firms urged to back voluntary disaster groups

The government has called on the private sector to increase investment in disaster planning and response organisations as the country grapples with the worsening effects of the climate crisis.

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams made the appeal during his keynote address at the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Business Forum held at Sandals Royal Barbados Resort on Friday.

Addressing a room of business leaders, Abrahams highlighted the growing financial strain on the country as it faces stronger weather systems on an almost yearly basis. He emphasised the need for businesses to play a greater role in supporting disaster mitigation efforts.

“Government can’t do it all,” said Abrahams, as he suggested that businesses can contribute by supporting District Emergency Organisations (DEOs), the voluntary arms of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM).

The minister proposed that companies could adopt DEOs to provide equipment and technical resources for post-impact scenarios. 

“Maybe adopting DEOs in order to provide equipment and other technical resources in a post-impact scenario,” he suggested. “I want the businesses to consider this; you don’t have to put the resources behind the communities in the way a government does, but just by a business adopting a DEO to make sure that they have sufficient chainsaws, to make sure the people got boots and raincoats, to make sure that they have other provisions, you can sponsor a DEO. It makes that response on the ground in communities way more effective.”

The home affairs minister called on businesses to be “good corporate citizens”, particularly those showing a profit. 

He said: “I think if your bottom line shows a plus, or shows you the green, then sometimes you can do a little bit to help our communities and the country. Especially if it is a community in which your business is based. I would urge you to have a little bit of a conscience and to put something behind it.”  

Abrahams argued that given the substantial investments made by the government in disaster mitigation each year, which benefit the business community, the private sector should be willing to contribute to their communities.

“When we do our national response and we make our plans, we don’t just make our plans for communities, we make our plans for you too. You the business benefit from the money the government is putting into its hurricane and disaster preparedness efforts,” he said.

“All I am asking [is to] pick a DEO, pick an organisation, and put some funds and some resources behind them so that they can mount an effective response when the time comes.” (SB)