Gov’t focused on climate resilience, flood preparedness – PM

Climate discussions among international bodies commenced this week in Guyana and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said new methods to track flooding in the region are being adopted here.

This was disclosed during his remarks at the launch of the Mechanism for Disaster Cooperation Exercise (MECODEX) 2025, where delegations from neighbouring states are part of these exercises. Emphasis is being placed on flooding in the hemisphere, brought on by climate change.

Prime Minister Phillips said Guyana has taken several significant steps to improve the national and regional response systems for flooding, and other natural and man-made disasters.

As such, Guyana has taken several significant steps to improve the national and regional response systems for natural and man-made disasters. These include targeted capacity training and strategic partnerships such as the notable Air Force’s Lessser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) 2025 mission.

“This initiative provides hands on training in practical combat casualty care, enhancing the skills of our first respondents and fostering international cooperation,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He added that there has been an expansion of early warning technology for flooding in remote communities and flood prone areas.

“We developed the national flood forecasting system that integrates numerical weather prediction model and the nationwide hydrological model.

“This system piloted in vulnerable communities such as Paruima, Chenapau, Lethem, Kwakwani, enables the creation of flood maps for extreme events, thereby improving our disaster resilience,” the Prime Minister said.

MECODEX aims to strengthen nation’s disaster preparedness and response and this year’s exercise builds upon previous exercises in Peru and beyond. Next year the event will be hosted by neighbouring Brazil.