Officials Sharpen Skills to Care for the Elderly in Disasters

Territorial-at-Large Representative Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal is seen giving remarks at the opening of a July 14-15 workshop entitled “Elderly in Disasters.” She spoke on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, who is presently away from the Territory on official business

The Ministry’s endorsement came this morning at the opening of an Elderly in Disasters Workshop at the conference room of Maria’s-by-the-Sea, in Road Town. The July 14-15 workshop is being coordinated by the Territory’s Department of Disaster Management and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

Among its key objectives, the workshop aims to review the impact of disasters on the elderly and increase awareness of their specific vulnerabilities and needs; identify challenges in caring for the elderly before, during, and after a disaster; as well as identify training needs to ensure proper management of the elderly before, during, and after a disaster.

Territorial-at-Large Representative the Honourable Irene Penn-O’Neal delivered remarks on behalf of the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, QC, OBE, who is currently away from the Territory on official business. ~~Adz:Right~~

Honourable Penn-O’Neal commended the organisers of the Elderly in Disasters Workshop and conveyed Government’s support for that important initiative. “The importance of this workshop is underscored by the many examples of deficiencies and lack of planning for the elderly during times of disaster,” she said, citing regional and international examples where the elderly were not cared for effectively in the aftermath of a major disaster.

Although the current percentage of elderly citizens in the Virgin Islands is relatively low, the Territorial-at-Large Representative believes that statistic is likely to change in the coming years. As a result, she is keenly interested in any initiatives and activities that are designed to reduce the adverse effects that the elderly suffer due to natural or man-made hazards.

The opening of the workshop this morning also included remarks by local and regional experts including the Deputy Director of the DDM Mr. Zebelon McLean, PAHO regional representative Dr. Jayshree Bagaria, and Coordinator of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) Mr. Jeremy Collymore. The newly appointed acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Petrona Smith also attended the opening of the workshop.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development works to provide leadership that promotes health, social well-being, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and ensuring sustainable development. Among other things, the Ministry is responsible for safe-guarding and promoting the health and social development of the Territory’s residents.