The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is moving to secure funding for a purpose-built disaster shelter estimated at approximately US$19 million, pending Cabinet approval.
Local architect Colin John Jenkins unveiled the design concept on Friday for the proposed structure, named NODS LEAF, which would accommodate around 500 individuals. Jenkins stated the shelter is designed to withstand Category Five hurricanes.
The facility would include family and private accommodation, medical and special needs facilities, a kitchen, processing area, administrative bloc, offices, a children's recreational area, an isolation space, and a flexible multi-purpose hall.
The conceptual drawings and grant concept were funded through the European Union's Building Resilience of CARIFORUM States to Disaster Risk and Climate Change Impacts (BRICS) programme, implemented by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
Among those present at the unveiling were CDEMA Executive Director Elizabeth Riley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Sarah Stuart, an EU representative, and the Director of CARIFORUM.
The visit by CDEMA's Executive Director also included a series of high-level meetings across Antigua and Barbuda. On Thursday, Riley participated in a BRICS programme Steering Committee meeting that reviewed project progress across the sub-region. A separate meeting was held with members of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.
On Friday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Kiz Johnson joined Riley and NODS Deputy Director Craig Cole in signing a Country Work Programme designed to guide Antigua and Barbuda's national disaster management programme over the next five years.
The CDEMA team and Deputy Director Cole also travelled to Barbuda on Saturday, where they met with Barbuda Council Chairman John Mussington. Discussions centred on the impacts of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and subsequent recovery efforts. The group visited the Disaster Management Office and newly renovated facilities on the island.
NODS has been working alongside the Barbuda Council to strengthen comprehensive disaster management programming on the sister isle.
