| Overview : 1.1 ODPM has been given the national mandate for T&T as lead agency for disaster risk management (DRM) which includes the responsibility for implementing the policy and programme for protection of critical infrastructure. By virtue of Cabinet Minute No. 1043 of April 29, 2010, the institutional framework and organizational structure have been established, and building national and community resilience to natural and anthropogenic hazards is an overarching objective. The alignment of Trinidad and Tobago with the Hyogo Framework for Action and Millennium Development Goals is ongoing and ODPM leads this process by mainstreaming disaster risk management into the plans and operations of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). 1.2 This joint capacity building project between UNDP and ODPM will make a contribution to improved DRM Policy, Strategy and Operations in T&T, and will assist in the development of a well-functioning DRM public education and early warning system (EWS). UNDP T&T has prior experience in working with the ODPM and has a worldwide network of expertise in disaster management directly available to this project that will provide support in the contexts of best practices, technical advice and operational support. 1.3 Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) has been experiencing a phase of continued economic growth driven primarily by the expansion of the energy sector. As a result rapid urbanization occurred and has contributed to the high vulnerability of the twin island Republic to multiple natural hazards and increasing technological and human-induced hazards. 1.4 The country displays an increasing prevalent vulnerability associated with a high exposure of its physical infrastructure (much of the country’s social and economic infrastructure is concentrated within active earthquake zones) and socioeconomic fragility. The country’s exposure to natural and technological hazards is exacerbated by a lack of proper planning; a traditionally weak regulatory framework with respect to land use, construction, environmental management and industrial standards; poor maintenance practices and insufficient national disaster risk management (DRM) capacity. 1.5 Disasters have an enormous impact on the development efforts of a country. With every disaster there is a significant impact on various sectors such as agriculture, housing, health, education and public utilities. These impacts can result in serious setbacks to social and economic development and poverty reduction. Often, the level of impact can also be seen as a manifestation of gaps and weaknesses caused by poor and unregulated planning and development. 1.6 A risk assessment of T&T was commissioned by the International Development Bank (IDB) and undertaken by the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in 2013 (IDB, 2013). A fully probabilistic multi-hazard risk assessment was conducted at country and city level for seismic events and hurricanes. The results of the study indicated that the predicted average annual loss to T&T’s exposed assets is higher for earthquakes; however, for larger return periods strong winds due to hurricanes contribute most to risk levels. The results of this study can inform immediate actions in terms of vulnerability mitigation activities and coping with climate change adaptation. The implementation of efficient and punctual DRM measures such as land use planning and vulnerability mitigation through building retrofitting schemes was recommended. 1.7 On a global scale, a review by the UNDP has indicated that generally although DRM is being increasingly mentioned in governmental development plans and policies it is not being addressed as a truly multisectoral concern. As well, where institutional and legislative arrangements for DRM do exist, they tend to be weakly linked to development sectors. An integrated approach to DRM is therefore required and should be initiated by bringing DRM to the fore in the minds of key decision and policy makers. Raising DRM awareness among Government decision makers, promoting institutional capacity development of relevant sectors, and developing and adopting sector-specific policies on structural and non-structural measures in risk reduction, preparedness, financial protection and resilient reconstruction, will all contribute to reversing the trend of rising disaster vulnerability in T&T. 1.8 The World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was held in Sendai, Japan in March 2015; the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030 has outlined the desired outcome of the new framework: “the substantial reduction of disaster losses, in lives, livelihoods and health and in the economic, social, physical, cultural and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities and countries.” Priority areas for action identified are: i) Understanding disaster risk ii) strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk iii) investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience iv) enhancing preparedness for effective response, and building back better in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction[1]. 1.9 In the Caribbean region, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has finalized the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy for 2014-2024. Its aim is to facilitate opportunities for cooperative financing and collaborative programming in support of DRR in the region, realizing safer, more resilient, sustainable CDEMA participant states. The CDM emphasizes an integrated approach to addressing disaster and climate risk at all levels inclusive of regional, national and community. The strategy aims to strengthen regional, national and community level capacity for mitigation of hazard, and identifies four key outcomes: strengthened institutional arrangements for CDM; increased and sustained knowledge management and learning for CDM; improved integration of CDM at sectoral levels, and; strengthened and sustained community resilience. 1.10 The two government ministries being targeted for this capacity building activity are the Ministry of National Security (MNS) and the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG). The three main roles of the MNS include i) maintenance of Law and Order, Public Safety and Defense against aggression ii) Co-ordination of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Relief and iii) Controlling the flow of people into and out of the country. The MOLG is mainly responsible for i) conveying the policy perspectives and guidelines of Central Government ii) monitoring the finances and expenditure iii) rendering expert advice iv) issuing guidelines on administrative and statutory regulations v) supervising the execution of projects and programmes vi) coordinating the activities of Municipal Corporations in order to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of services in a timely manner and also balanced growth development and vii) acting as an adjudicator in cases of disputes between Municipal Corporations. Each Municipal Corporation has a Disaster Management Unit (DMU). The responsibilities of these DMUs include i) providing expert Disaster Risk Reduction advice to the Administration of the Municipal Corporations ii) collaborating with other first responders in providing local-level assistance to citizens impacted by hazards. First responder agencies include the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services (TTFS),the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force,(TTDF),the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) iii) managing the operations of the Municipal Emergency Operations Centre (MEOC) when activated iv) educating communities on all phases of the disaster management cycle and v) carrying out activities in accordance with the disaster management policy of the Ministry of Local Government. These agencies, MNS and MOLG, were therefore selected as the first government ministries in which DRR capacity building and mainstreaming will be implemented because of their integral roles in DRM. 1.11 On behalf of the GORTT the UNDP is currently seeking suitable professionals to work with the Ministry of National Security through the ODPM, for the purpose of improving the capacity for Disaster Risk Management in selected ministries of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. [1]http://www.wcdrr.org/uploads/1419081E.pdf, Find also the Zero Draft Chart at http://www.wcdrr.org/uploads/ZeroDraft-Chart.pdf | 
