Subject to Cabinet approval, the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) will be seeking funding for a purpose-built shelter, called NODS LEAF, costing in the region of 19 million US dollars.

On Friday, Local Architect Colin John Jenkins unveiled the design concept for the structure that is proposed to accommodate approximately 500 individuals.

The conceptual drawings and the grant concept were funded by a European Union Programme – Building Resilience of CARIFORUM states to Disaster Risk and Climate Change Impacts (BRICS), that is implemented by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

According to John Jenkins, the plan is to make the shelter resilient, being able to withstand category five hurricanes.

Among the amenities will be family and private accommodation, medical and special needs facilities, kitchen, processing area, administrative bloc, offices, children recreational area, an isolation space and a flexible multi-purpose hall.

In attendance at the unveiling were Executive Director of CDEMA Elizabeth Riley, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Sarah Stuart along with EU representative and the Director of CARIFORUM.

Meanwhile, the CDEMA Executive Director took part in several meetings over the weekend here in Antigua and on the sister-isle Barbuda.

Riley was part of a project Steering Committee meeting Thursday of the BRICS programme that reviewed progress being made on projects that have been undertaken throughout the sub-region. A meeting was also held with members of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda.

On Friday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation Hon. Kiz Johnson joined Riley and NODS Deputy Director Craig Cole in signing a Country Work Programme that was developed to guide the national disaster management programme for the next five years.

The CDEMA team, along with Deputy Director of NODS Craig Cole, also travelled to Barbuda Saturday and met with Chairman of the Barbuda Council John Mussington.

Discussions focused on the effects of Hurricane Irma in 2017 and the recovery efforts undertaken. Visits were made to the Disaster Management Office and newly renovated facilities.

NODS has been working with the Barbuda Council to strengthen the comprehensive disaster management programme on the sister-isle. – the end