The 2014 winner of the Annual Risk Reduction Recognition Award is the Anguilla Red Cross. The presentation was made to the local Coordinator, Mr Ricky Rouphine, on Friday, March 14.
The award is a partnership between Alliance Insurance Services and the National Disaster Management Committee.
Deputy Governor, Stanley Reid, who has responsibility for disaster management, noted that the award was the third presented so far, and that the Anguilla Red Cross was very deserving of the recognition.
“The title of the National Disaster Management Committee and the Department of Disaster Management itself tells you what the primary mandate is,” Mr Reid said. “For us, that requires us to mitigate the risks that can result in disaster, and also to respond appropriately during and after a disaster event. We cannot control whether an event will happen, but we are able to take certain steps to minimise the likelihood of any event resulting in a disaster, and that is what the Annual Risk Reduction Award seeks to promote.”
He advised that there was a need to heighten awareness of the value of mitigation and encourage persons to engage in mitigation actions in relation to both their personal and business lives. He commended Alliance Insurance Services for its annual sponsorship of the award and hoped that other businesses would become involved in the effort.
Ms Sandra Lowell, Manager of the insurance company, outlined the purpose of the award. Among other matters, it recognises excellence by individuals and agencies, groups and institutions, throughout Anguilla, contributing in an outstanding manner to reducing disaster risk and a safer and more sustained island. It also recognises excellence in innovation, outreach and collaboration to improve the resilience of Anguilla’s communities to disasters.
Ms Lowell presented a cheque for US$500, and a Certificate, to Mr Rouphine on behalf of the Red Cross. Currently, the Red Cross is involved in risk reduction programmes and is soon to import a wheelchair from England to transport elderly persons for medical care. The vehicle costs about US$52,000 and the Red Cross has been successfully raising funds towards its purchase.
Ms Melissa Meade, Director of Disaster Management, said there was a collective need for all persons and businesses to work together to reduce society’s vulnerability thereby increasing the safety of persons. “This award presentation is a token to recognise the hard work you have done to increase the culture of safety in Anguilla,” she told the Red Cross Coordinator.
