Structure of CDERA

When one speaks of "CDERA", this refers to the region wide organisation. CDERA comprises:

• The Coordinating Unit, which is the CDERA secretariat, headquartered in Barbados;
• 16 National Disaster Organisations, one in each of the Participating States^?;
• A Board of Directors, comprising the 16 National Disaster Coordinators (the head of each National Disaster Organisation). The Board serves in a technical advisory capacity and makes recommendations to the Council on the Agency's Work Programme, Administrative Budget, and any other major policy decisions required;
• A Council, which is the supreme policy making body. It comprised the Heads of Government of the Participating States and meets annually to review the work of the Agency, approve its Work Programme and Administrative Budget and make any other major policy decisions required.

Sub-regional focal points

To better manage an efficient response, the 16 CDERA Participating States are grouped into four sub-regions, each of which is headed by an operation unit known as a Sub-Regional Focal Point. The functions of each focal point are:

• Acquire and maintain on an updated basis comprehensive information on the facilities and services available in each of the Participating States for which they bear responsibility;
• Maintain and test on regular basis communications with the Coordinating Unit and with critical response agencies under the control of national relief organizations;
• Maintain independent fuel and power supplies and ensure that relevant physical facilities are in a condition to withstand a major disaster;
• Keep and maintain at the operational focal point in serviceable and optimal working condition an equipment package containing essential items determined by the Board of Directors, subject to the approval of Council.

Sub-regional structure at-a-glance