5 Continued from previous page I have long accepted that our Caribbean Region may not be able to design all public access buildings and “just leave them” until required as shelters against the backdrop I have just described. We should consider designing buildings such as gymnasia and sports stadia so that they can be used for emergency shelters instead of having to use schools and churches. My experience leads me to believe that public buildings can be designed in such a way that when required for use as shelters they can be quickly converted to that kind of service with standards guaranteed. In paying attention to design we need to focus on standards, flexibility and adaptability for public buildings. I do not think any of us would say we should design the buildings for best use during emergencies and then wait for an emergency to use them. There are ways in which buildings can be quickly and safely converted internally for emergency shelter use but proper design is critical. This includes considerations for smaller spaces for privacy or larger spaces for access, capacity and convenience. Plans should include guidelines for dealing with both hurricane recovery and the COVID-19 crisis, among other hazards and threats. (Photo by Franklyn Michael) CONSTRUCTION There are standards of construction that must be followed in all CARICAD member states. Some states have comprehensive and detailed Building Codes and related legislation and regulations. However there is wide variation in the levels of enforcement of regulations in particular. We have architectural and engineering expertise in our Region that could help us to enhance harmonisation practices that promote hazard resistance in construction methods. Our people have long experience in coping with hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and even tsunamis. Those lessons of life Some of the damage in Dominica from Hurricane Maria. (Photo by Yuri Jones) should be brought to bear on construction methods for emergency shelters. Note that the Sphere project began in 1997. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and other global level NGOs sought to develop and promulgate a set of globally accepted minimal standards for Humanitarian Response. The standards are codified in the Sphere handbooks — Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Humanitarian Response — and provide detailed information that can be adapted to our regional circumstances. The 2018 edition of the handbook has an entire chapter devoted to shelters and shelter management. GOVERNANCE We have made great strides over the years in Shelter Management – day-to-day operations of shelters. However, longer-term occupancy of emergency shelters present challenges that do not arise during an overnight or weekend stay. Governance is one of those challenges. I have decided to reflect on a list of questions such as those shown on the next page as a basis for future decision-making and action-taking. I have excluded question marks to improve visual appeal for our readers. Continues on next page
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