The Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has gained valuable knowledge and experience from “Exercise Connectivity”, conducted at Camp Stephenson, Timehri, Thursday, as it seeks to up its preparedness to address disasters.

The Commission’s Director General Col Ret’d. Chabilall Ramsarup, in closing remarks to participating stakeholders, said, “A lot of work went into making this exercise a success”. He noted that several deficiencies were exposed and every effort will be made to have them addressed in the near future.
Recalling the recent gastro enteritis outbreak in Region 1, the CDC head said that the organisation was forced to take charge of the response mechanism and coordinate a timely response with assistance from the Ministry of Health, in order to deal with the situation.
He also touched on the importance of being prepared for any possible disaster and having the resources, capability and technical knowledge to deal with such occurrences. He reminded stakeholders that when a disaster strikes, all can be affected.
Exercise connectivity was a prelude to the upcoming, “Exercise Floodgate” which will be held across Guyana to test the regions and communities’ responses to simulated disasters.
It was aimed at testing communication by various means, such as cell phones, high or low frequency radios, landlines, ham radio, internet and satellite phones, plans, procedures of the CDC and its supporting network agencies. It also tested the operational status of Regional Emergency Operation Centres and the alternative National Emergency Operation Centre based at Timehri.
Overseen by CDC Operations and Training Officer, Kester Craig, participants were presented with several potential disaster scenarios in various regions to test their ability to communicate effectively, even if they were faced with several constraints such as a lack of electricity, cell phone or internet service.
As part of preparations for a National Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan, the CDC conducted several consultations, which attracted a cross-section of representatives from various institutions and organisations.
The United Nations Development Programme has been playing a key role in enhancing the CDC’s capability and capacity, along with the Inter American Development Bank, and both organisations were recognised for their roles.(GINA)