Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, Hon. Kiz Johnson, has pledged her full support to strengthening Antigua and Barbuda's disaster preparedness framework following a meeting with senior representatives of Global Support and Development (GSD), a humanitarian nonprofit organisation dedicated to helping communities recover from disaster.
The discussions brought together GSD's Caribbean Partnerships Manager, Rachel Leuck, and Partnerships Director, Kate Deschino, who outlined their organisation's work across the Caribbean and its growing relationship with Antigua and Barbuda.
During the meeting, Minister Johnson acknowledged that while she is relatively new to the portfolio, she has quickly developed a strong appreciation for the critical work carried out by the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS).
"I can tell that our team has very strong competency, so I'm here to give you all the support you need and to understand your needs and how this fits into our overall plan of where we're going," Johnson said.
The GSD representatives praised Antigua and Barbuda's emergency management leadership and highlighted the country's significant role as a sub-regional hub for disaster response within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country's disaster preparedness priorities through a long-term partnership with NODS.
Public awareness emerged as a key theme in the discussions. Minister Johnson noted that many residents do not fully understand the breadth of NODS' responsibilities or the importance of building preparedness partnerships before a crisis strikes. She pointed to the recent earthquake felt across the twin-island nation as a stark reminder that emergencies can occur at any time, stressing the urgent need to better educate the public about preparedness and resilience.
GSD officials echoed that sentiment, encouraging the continuation of community engagement and preparedness campaigns. They emphasised that effective disaster management extends well beyond post-event response — it requires fostering everyday awareness and readiness among citizens.
Both sides concluded the meeting on an optimistic note, expressing a shared commitment to expanding their collaboration and reinforcing Antigua and Barbuda's capacity to prepare for and respond to future emergencies.
