SECTION 9
EMERGENCY SHELTER
MANAGEMENT POLICY
FOR
SAINT LUCIA
AUGUST, 1996
SECTION 9
EMERGENCY SHELTER MANAGEMENT POLICY
FOR
SAINT LUCIA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Authority
3.0 Purpose
4.0 General Policy
5.0 Goals of Shelter Management Policy
6.0 Detailed Policy
SAINT LUCIA
EMERGENCY SHELTER MANAGEMENT POLICY
FOR
SAINT LUCIA
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The protection of life and property and the alleviation of suffering and hardships caused by disasters is the fundamental
responsibility of government. Being cognizant of these responsibilities the government of Saint Lucia is determined that they are
met. The overall policy of the government regarding disaster management is to establish and maintain the optimum system for
mitigating the effects of disasters. The government has therefore established and implemented program for disaster
preparedness and response coordinated by the national office which has responsibility for coordinating all disaster management
activities.
The impact of disasters on our Communities has highlighted the need for coordinated shelter management programs at the
national level. Communities in the review of their response efforts highlighted the need for technical and other support to
address the shelter issues which arose. The absence of a clearly articulated shelter policy has resulted in the lack of an
organised program to adequately address emergency shelter needs. Sectors of the population made homeless by past disaster
events were without adequate temporary shelter reiterating the need to put in place a coordinated program informed by a
policy.
The absence of a coordinated national shelter program also resulted in the lack of trained personnel, insufficient quantities of
temporary shelter materials and an inability to meet the requirements of homeless persons.
In an effort to ensure that policy for shelter management is addressed at the national level on the island, the National
Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO] is proposing a model policy which can be adapted for use here. The policy
addresses areas of shelter management such as training, maintenance and retrofitting of shelters, responsibility of shelter
occupants, government and the private sector, the staffing of shelters.
2.0 AUTHORITY
The EMERGENCY SHELTER MANAGEMENT POLICY FOR SAINT LUCIA as part of the National Disaster
Management Plan documents Government’s commitment to disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation and effective
response. It defines the organisational and functional mechanisms and procedures for carrying out a disaster program should an
event occur.
This Plan was designed under the guidance of the Saint Lucia National Disaster Coordinator as a responsibility conferred by
the Cabinet of Ministers on August 1, 1996 by decision No: 1149 of 1996.
3.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to define the context for the establishment, maintenance and provision of emergency shelter within
the national emergency management system and available resources.
4.0 GENERAL POLICY
It is the policy of the Government to take action to mitigate the effects of natural and other disasters within its available
resources. The shelter management policy is designed to be of service to the community augmenting the resources of the
private sector and non-government organizations to cope with the emergency shelter needs resulting from a threatened alert or
the aftermath of a disaster. Persons rendered homeless by a natural or other disasters will be provided with temporary shelter
giving priority attention to vulnerable groups, particularly the physically and mentally challenged, the elderly and low income
groups.
The functions and services of the national emergency shelter management programme will be maintained in a constant state of
readiness in accordance with the national policy for disasters.
5.0 GOAL OF SHELTER MANAGEMENT POLICY
The goal of the shelter management policy is to:
5.1 Ensure that victims of disasters who have been made homeless are provided with temporary shelter or support for
expediting their rehabilitation.
5.2 Establish minimum shelter requirements for facilities which are potential emergency shelters.
5.3 Establish a mechanism for the provision of services for emergency shelter.
5.4 link shelter management with the national evacuation and relief programmes.
5.5 To establish the mechanism for the management, identification, maintenance and upkeep of shelters.
6.0 DETAILED POLICY
On the coming into force of this policy the Government shall within its means and available resources organize and manage a
national program for emergency shelter. Emphasis will be placed on taking precautionary and mitigative measures to strengthen
and retrofit building providing equipment supplies and staff for shelters. The necessary legislation will be enacted to support all
aspects of the Emergency Shelter Program.
The first priority for the government is to ensure that all citizens have shelter which can with stand the effects of disasters. In the
event of a threatened alert that a disaster results in the need for emergency shelters, the selection of structurally sound buildings
is the chief priority.
The Government will encourage cooperation and consultation between the appropriate government agencies, the private
sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOS) to ensure the provision of adequate temporary shelter for persons
rendered homeless as a result of a threatened alert or emergency disaster.
The Government will establish a national group with the responsibility for managing and supervising the national emergency
shelter programme
Structurally sound and fully stocked emergency shelters as recommended by the national Emergency Shelter Programme, will
be provided.
The necessary action in support of programmes to expedite the rehabilitation of the homeless victims of disasters particularly in
situations where there are long term sheltering requirements, will be undertaken.
The cost of retrofitting emergency shelter buildings fully owned by Government will be sustained and also the necessary
retrofitting of privately owned buildings will be arranged to ensure emergency shelters meet the required standards.
The necessary action will be taken to ensure public buildings which are potential emergency shelters Schools, Churches and
Community Centres are sited and constructed according to established building codes being use in the country and the region
and they are equipped with the standard internal provisions recommended by the emergency shelter programme.
Provide in the annual budget estimates for the maintenance, stocking and outfitting of emergency shelters.
The necessary action will be taken necessary to ensure that the relevant government departments and agencies conduct an
annual evaluation of shelters, according to the standard guidelines defined by the emergency shelter programme.
Arrange for the repairs of privately owned buildings pre-designated as shelters if any damage is done to them by occupants of
the building while they are being used as such.
Maintain a list of public and private buildings suitable for use as emergency shelters during a disaster alert or in the aftermath of
a disaster and issue regulations governing their use.
Designate the periods for which shelters can be used during a threatened disaster alert or in the aftermath of a disaster.
Provide a mandatory programme of training for personnel designated as shelter managers or potential managers to ensure they
are full equipped for their responsibility.
Mandate that the National Emergency Shelter body meets before the activation of the national emergency operations centre or
as soon thereafter as practicable
The necessary action will be taken to ensure that information is disseminated on:-
Or Email us at
eoc@candw.lc
