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In recognition of the need to develop national and regional capacity in the area of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) conducted a two-day workshop in Kingston Jamaica, January 29 - 30, 2002. The Workshop focused on Civil/Military Coordination in Search and Rescue Operation.

The Workshop provided a forum for information sharing and the exchange of ideas on the way forward in the development of a regional USAR programme. Through the technical guidance of the St. Croix Rescue Squad, participants were familiarized with specific issues to be considered in the development of a USAR programme. The issues raised were applicable both at the national as well as regional level. Critical sources of expertise in the area of USAR were also identified. The participation of Montserrat, being one of the most advanced Participating States in this area, was of tremendous benefit to the Workshop as it contributed first hand knowledge to the operations of an Urban Search and Rescue programme.

Nineteen (19) participants benefited from the Workshop. They consisted of civil and military representatives drawn from the sub-regional focal points of the CDERA Participating States as well as various regional and other regional stakeholder organizations. The latter included CDERA, PAHO, Regional Security System (RSS), the Search and Rescue Team of Montserrat and the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC).

This continued effort by CDERA to address this critical capacity gap within the region was made possible with support from United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM) and assistance from the United States Agency for International Development, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA). Technical input was received from St. Croix Rescue Squad in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Jamaica.

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