A Virgin Islands representative recently shared the lessons of Hurricane Irma with delegates from the United Nations and other agencies from across the region.
Patlian Johnson, recovery and development cooperation specialist in the Premier’s Office, delivered a presentation during a March 31 virtual meeting of UN agencies and recovery partners organised by UN Development Programme as a part of its Development Dialogues series, according to a press release from Benito Wheatley, a special envoy to Premier Andrew Fahie.
Ms. Johnson spoke during a breakout session themed “UNDP in the Recovery Landscape: Ensuring added value and effective partnership,” the release stated.
Among other topics, Ms. Johnson highlighted the economic and social impact of hurricanes Irma and Maria on the territory since September 2017 and the progress made in recovery by 2020.
She also described the support provided by the UNDP and other partners in areas including capacity building, targeted advice and feedback, and strengthening of processes including procurement, monitoring and evaluation, according to the press release.
Additionally, Ms. Johnson highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between post-disaster societies and recovery partners including external agencies, the private sector, non-profit organisations and civil society, the release noted.
“This dialogue was very important as the UN and recovery partners refine their approach ahead of the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season and in anticipation of further support as the impacts of the Covid-19 crisis continues,” Ms. Johnson said of the meeting.
The overall theme of the Development Dialogue was “Shifting the Paradigm Towards People-Centred and Resilient Recovery.”