The Health Promotion Unit has won the annual Disaster Risk Reduction Award again.
The Unit has won the Award six times now.
The Risk Reduction Awards Ceremony for 2023 was once again held at the Alliance Insurance Services Ltd. office on Wednesday 29th March, 2023, under the directive of the Department of Disaster Management. Each year, Alliance Insurance Ltd. partners with the Department to conduct the ceremony.
and Alliance Insurance Services Representatives
“Alliance Insurance solemnly pledges to be a partner in risk reduction on Anguilla. True resilience comes from strong bonds among countries and communities,” Director of Alliance Insurances Ltd., Ms. Sandra Lovell said. “… Communities around the world are being devastated by droughts, floods, intense unpredictable storms, sea-level rise and health related issues.”
“In recent times, we are seeing more severe weather conditions and many deaths occur due to health-related issues. And, as we know, when disaster strikes, it is always the poor who are vulnerable and suffer the most,” she said. “Without urgent action, the impact of this phenomenon will be rapid death and destruction across the world.”
“On the national level, it should be the long term vision of communities across Anguilla to build the resilience of an Anguillian society in order to protect the country and its people,” Ms. Lovell said. “I believe that the Government, through the National Disaster Management Committee, is working hard in a proactive and responsive manner to achieve this vision.”
“It is truly an honour to share this moment with you in this ceremony recognizing the work of persons and organisations who have made meaningful strides towards improving resilience by reducing disaster risks,” the Honourable Minster of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie commented.
“I commend the efforts of the Department of Disaster Management and the committed sponsor, Alliance Insurance Ltd. for their continuous dedication in highlighting the work of persons involved in disaster, and in hosting this Awards ceremony to show appreciation for the work of its partners each year,” she said.
According to the Minister, “It would be a fallacy to think that disaster risk reduction is solely the responsibility of the Department of Disaster Management. On the contrary, the fact that disaster risk reduction is a directly linked to sustainable development, makes it everybody’s business.”
“It is my pleasure on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla to say the heartiest congratulations to the winner of this year’s Disaster Risk Reduction Award, the Health Promotion Unit,” the Minister said. “Please accept our deepest gratitude and appreciation for the work you have done.”
“Between myself and the Governor, with responsibility for disaster management, any initiative that reduces risk lessens the impact of a disaster and makes our job easier,” the Honourable Deputy Governor, Mr. Perrin Bradley said. “It is my delight to support this particular event each year. I wish to commend Alliance Insurance for being a Platinum Sponsor every year, and I want to congratulate the Health Promotion Unit for winning this award for the sixth year.”
Guest speaker at the ceremony Environmental Health Expert, Mr. Lesroy Lake said in part: “Since we cannot reduce the severity of natural disasters, themselves, or the hazards they impose, the main opportunity for reducing risks lies in reducing the vulnerability groups and those who are exposed.”
“The World Disaster Report 2020 states that we are not helpless in the face of climate change impacts. The effort we take today to address exposure, as well as vulnerability, and their root causes such as poverty, inequality environmental derogation, social injustice, environmental mismanagement and failed governance will determine how well people are able to cope today and tomorrow,” Mr. Lake said. “The only way to reduce the risks in the face of more climate related hazards is to reduce the vulnerability and exposure of people.”
In accepting the award, Senior Heath Educator, Mrs. Jennifer Gumbs, said: “The Healthy Promotion Unit is quite honoured and humbled to accept this Risk Reduction award. Firstly, I thank God almighty for making such an accomplishment possible. Secondly, I thank the sponsors who assisted the Unit in achieving the programmes that it runs in order to address the health issues of our community.”
She particularly thanked several entities for partnering with the Unit including Caribbean Insurance Solutions, Nagico Insurance, Alliance Insurance Ltd., Merchants Market, Klass FM, Radio Anguilla, and Dr. Karima Matthew who carried out the breast cancer screening.
The Health Protection Unit has a number of measures in place to help raise awareness of hazards and the protection of development projects including the Health is Wealth Programme on Klass FM and the Health Corner Programme on Radio Anguilla.
