The British Virgin Islands as well as most of its neighboring countries are very small territories located in the Atlantic ocean region with quite substantial hurricane activity. In 2005, for example, the Atlantic Hurricane Season was presented by 28 storms, 15 of which were hurricanes. The average North Atlantic Hurricane Season has 11 storms, 6 of which become hurricanes.
This year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a very active hurricane season. NOAA forecasts 13 to 16 storms in the region this season. 8 to 10 may become hurricanes and 4 to 6 could be major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or even higher. Individuals are encouraged to make preparations to protect lives and property.
This is why what the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) does is so topical for the British Virgin Islands.
In April 2006, the OECS Secretariat and the Department of Disaster Management and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a workshop on the methodology for macro economic damage assessment training. This 3-day workshop started in the BVI on April 25. Also, this workshop was held in all of the member states of the OECS.
This was essential as the countries of the OECS are used to face various challenges mainly because of their small territories and vulnerability to natural disasters. The total population of OECS countries is approximately 800,000. Their institutional capacity is not unlimited, accordingly, per capita costs of social services and infrastructure are quite high.
The British Virgin Islands is an associate member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The other members are Anguilla (associate member), Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) serves to achieve economic harmonization and integration, to protect human and legal rights as well as to encourage good governance between countries in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS has a very important function in case event of natural disaster, for instance, a hurricane – it spreads responsibility and liability among its members and associate members.
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