The Department of Disaster Management, in collaboration with Alliance Insurance Services Ltd., on Thursday March 24th held its 11th annual Risk Reduction Awards ceremony, under the theme: “Promoting a Culture of Risk Reduction”. The event, which took place at the office of Alliance Insurance, seeks to recognise persons or entities in society who have been instrumental in working towards reducing the risk of disaster locally.
The ceremony was moderated, before a small audience, by the Programme Officer in the Department of Disaster Management, Mr. Jerry “Dice” Richardson. A prayer was delivered by Mr. Aubrey Smith, who was the awardee at the 2011 ceremony, while the welcome address was given by the Insurance Compliance Officer, Mr. Jervis Richardson, of Alliance Insurance: “I am delighted to welcome you to the eleventh annual risk reduction awards ceremony,” he said. “In this new COVID-19 pandemic environment we are encouraged to do as the theme suggest and promote a culture of risk reduction.
“This pandemic is felt by all countries and communities. The economic consequences faced by many jurisdictions will be deep and long-lasting. Hence, we need to continue our vigorous efforts to build our resistance and to establish, adopt and promote an Anguillian culture of risk reduction in every sector…”
Principal Director of Alliance Insurance, Ms. Sandra Lowell, commented: “Disaster risk reduction is important. This is evident with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected the entire planet. Risk reduction saves lives. It protects people from injury and prevents damage. The task that we all have to be engaged in today, especially, is to reduce the spread and effects of COVID-19 as well as other diseases that are rampant in our society.”
“Governments, local medical authorities, first responders and every sector of our communities must take steps to reduce risks,” she went on. “Measures and programmes must be designed to enhance prevention, preparedness and response to potential future outbreaks.
“Disasters are indeed becoming an issue of growing concern worldwide. The impact of disaster upon our
societies has been greatly increased, becoming a major obstacle for us to achieve sustainable socio-economic development. We all know that natural disasters are really not altogether natural. They have much to do with human activities.”
“To mitigate the impact of disasters and sustain our socio-economic investment,” Ms. Lowell observed, “governments and international organisations can no longer afford to treat disaster concerns as marginalised issues to be dealt with on an ad hoc basis. On the contrary, we should act now before it’s too late to adopt a proactive, holistic and comprehensive approach to disaster management…”
Also speaking at the ceremony was the Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Mr. Calvin Samuel. He spoke directly to those receiving awards, and applauded their efforts as pioneers and partners of risk reduction in the society: “On behalf of the Department of Disaster Management, I wish to say sincere and heartfelt congratulations to our awardees. You should consider yourselves as champions,” he declared. “You are champions not only in reducing the risks in your areas of discipline, but you are pioneers and partners who contribute to risk reduction in our communities. That, in and of
itself, is profound.”
Continuing to address the awardees, Mr. Samuel pointed out that their efforts and actions are commendable and profound, and form an intrinsic part of the integrated approach to disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management. He highlighted the fact that disasters affect mainly the most vulnerable, both in terms of health and livelihoods. “The most vulnerable of our people can suffer the most devastation,” he noted.
Then, concerning those who contribute to risk reduction through taking action to secure themselves and their families, he pointed out: “We also have those in the community who reduce the risk of hunger and starvation by producing food for their families in their backyards, shuttering their houses, ensuring that they have savings for a rainy day, and the list goes on…”
On the matter of risk reduction against bad health, Mr. Samuel said: “We all live in a region where over 60% of our populace suffer from chronic and non-communicable diseases. I want us all to note that this work by our awardees can never be overstated in its importance. The work of our awardees is indelible and critical to our nation’s progress.”
He said finally: “I also want to make mention of Ms. Sandra Lowell and Mr. Jerry “Dice” Richardson for working so diligently over the past eleven years on this awards presentation. I wish to state publicly that I thank you both for thinking outside the box to award those who strive to reduce risks outside the box.”
Before the awards were presented, Deputy Governor, Mr. Perrin Bradley also congratulated the awardees. He said: “This is not just a project for the Department of Disaster Management, but it is one of a community feel. I thank the participants for the part they have played in this initiative. It shows your keen interest in risk reduction and disaster management. Therefore, I would like to congratulate the winners of today’s awards.”
Ms. Lowell then presented the awards. The two winners were: the Health Promotion Unit, in first place, and in second place was the Chronic Disease Unit. In making the presentations, Ms. Lowell remarked: “This is presented to you for work well done. You have worked hard, as you continuously do. We are therefore very happy and appreciative of your efforts.”
The annual Risk Reduction Awards Ceremony was the brainchild of Mr. Jerry “Dice” Richardson, and Compliance Officer of Alliance Insurance Ltd., Jervis Richardson, complimented him for his vision: “I highly commend the vision of Mr. Jerry “Dice” Richardson and his Department for their continued initiatives.
– Staff Reporter James R. Harrigan
