The Honourable Minister for Health, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, is proposing an improved emergency response system following his attendance at the 6th Caribbean-South Korean partnership forum on October 26.
The forum was held under the theme ‘Enhancing Korea-Caribbean partnership on climate change and food security.’
Dr. Darroux reported that the issues of disaster risks, early warning systems, climate change and health dominated the agenda.
On the topic of early warning systems, Dr. Darroux indicated that a proposal for an improved emergency response system has been presented to the Hon Prime Minister.
“Based on my bilateral discussions with the Koreans, I don’t think it’s too aggressive to probably propose airlifting.”
He said the frustration of not having this service was experienced during Tropical Storm Erika when this service had to be outsourced.
“One of the South-Korean presenters to the conference [showed a very] technologically advanced early warning system which I think will do well not just for Dominica but for the sub region and even the wider CARICOM region.”
He said if this is pursued aggressively Dominica will be successful in achieving this goal. He said he has already liaised with the Office of Disaster Management to propose a search and rescue plan including airlifting for Dominica.
Dr. Darroux noted that South-Korea has been making a steady contribution to Dominica throughout the years, most specifically to the Ministry of National Security. The South-Korean government intends to increase partnership with the Caribbean.
“South-Korea is currently the world’s largest economy ...over the past forty years they have quantum-leapt into development. They have been having these annual meetings with Caribbean leaders where they are basically asking how they can help improve the Caribbean,” he said.
The Commonwealth of Dominica and the Republic of Korea formalised bilateral relations in 1978, one year after Dominica’s independence.