Readiness Associates to aid in disaster reduction in Trinidad and Tobago
Readiness Associates, a consultancy which focuses on assisting clients in preparing for natural and manmade disasters, has joined a committee aimed at disaster risk reduction on the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The firm will serve on the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago's (Amcham T&T) Private Sector Alliance for Resilient Societies (Arise) committee.
Arise T&T is affiliated with the United Nations – more specifically the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – and is tasked with creating a future in which the negative effects of disasters are softened or altogether prevented.
"Our nation needs a comprehensive disaster resiliency plan that integrates climate change considerations into priority sectors to allow for the appropriate interventions," Patricia Ghany, president of Amcham T&T, said, at the time of the initiative’s fall 2019 announcement.
In recent years, Trinidad and Tobago, which is located off the Venezuelan coast and has a population of approximately 1.4 million, has been hit with natural disasters and inclement weather. By working with Amcham T&T, Readiness Associates will assist the nation in preparing its business’ resilience in the wake of disaster, as well as preparedness for earthquakes and flooding.
"While the greatest facet of our humanity often emerges in these perilous times, it goes without saying that the relief from natural disasters should not be left solely to the charitable acts from private citizens and companies," Ghany said.
"Communities are systems and, as such, each business entity in a community has a vital role to play as well as interdependencies with the others," Vernon Jeffery, Readiness Associates chief strategist, added. "One thing we do is to help business leaders see risk from a community perspective, which brings new awareness for creative risk-reduction strategies."
Readiness Associates is headquartered in Portland, Maine. It advises organizations on concerns including medical emergencies, pandemic flu, evacuations and drills for natural disasters, and more.
