Environmental research

The Dominica Red Cross (DRC) is a Voluntary Service Organization which has been operating as a National Society auxiliary to the public authorities since 1983 and is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The DRC has implemented disaster risk management (DRM) programs in 42 communities across Dominica since 2000 which includes 17 community vulnerability and capacity assessments (VCA). While Dominica has very low greenhouse gas emission levels, even compared to other lowly-populated Caribbean islands, climate change has the ability to severely impact this small island developing state. Stress to marine species, stronger Atlantic storms and hurricanes along with sea level rise all present accumulated hazards, particularly to low lying coastal areas. Over the last decade the Dominica Red Cross (DRC) has focused on risk reduction and awareness activities including small-scale mitigation projects aimed at reducing vulnerability at community level Dominica is prone to several natural hazards including hurricanes, volcanoes, landslides, flooding and earthquakes. This project seeks to inform community persons on climate change adaptation while developing disaster resilience. The mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall on Dominica contributes to the occurrence of landslides which may isolate communities for extended periods and cut off access of emergency services therefore this project also aims to train and develop an emergency response mechanism within the community. The communities of Rosalie and Grand Fond on the East coast of Dominica have long been susceptible to landslide, river flooding and sea surge, which, with the added effects of climate change, are expected to intensify. The area borders Morne Trois Piton National Park while the Rosalie River and tributaries flow from the park. The DRC will undertake training with local residents within these communities to establish Community Disaster Response Teams (CDRTs), complete hazard and resource mapping of communities, implement mitigation projects, and develop community and family disaster plans. The community along with Red Cross volunteers and staff will be involved with all aspects of the program from initial data information gathering to training and assessment working together towards a common goal. These activities will enable affected communities to increase their resilience to disaster risk. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND AND CAPACITY 1.2 The Dominica Red Cross (DRC) is a Voluntary Service Organization which has been operating as a National Society auxiliary to the public authorities since 1983 and is a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The principle object of the organization is to promote all forms of humanitarian activities with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world. Other activities carried out by the DRC include first aid training and services, radio communication, welfare services, disaster risk management, restoring family links, medical equipment loans service, HIV/AIDS education and mass casualty response. The IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross Societies) provides technical support towards capacity building of National Societies, not financial contributions. It also seeks donors to fund DRM programmes for NSs. Consequently, the National Society has well trained individuals capable of implementing DRM projects but does not have the financial resources to implement large projects using its own finances. Instead, we are reliant on submitting proposals for such community projects. On occasion we have been funded by CDEMA to carry out such projects. The DRC liaises closely with the Office of Disaster Management, serves on subcommittees of health, telecommunications, welfare, and food and general supplies. The DRC is a member of the National Emergency Planning Organization and sits on numerous task forces. The DRC sources funding via resource mobilization, contracted projects from ODM, and other donor funded projects through the IFRC. Over the last decade the DRC has focused on risk reduction and awareness activities including small-scale mitigation projects aimed at reducing vulnerability to disaster and climate change at community level. The DRC has completed disaster management programs in 42 communities across Dominica which includes 17 community vulnerability and capacity assessments (VCA). All before the AVID volunteer attachment . Specifically relating to climate change the DRC with the assistance of an adviser from Kings University, London, drafted a climate change risk assessment strategy and action plan in 2010. The DRC also hosted a national workshop on climate change and developed a climate change awareness campaign in the same year. Information is disseminated to communities through its active programs on health, disaster risk reduction, vulnerability and capacity assessment and utilizing previously trained community members such as community disaster response teams and national intervention teams as vehicles to partner with and initiate change. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS 1.3 The communities of Rosalie and Grand Fond on the East coast of Dominica have long been susceptible to landslide, river

Dominica