The Hummingbird

Volume 1 Issue 8 August 2014 The ECLAC Port of Spain Newsletter Samoa takes centerstage … at Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States

SOME faced with the threat of an outcome document, ensuring possible extinction due to sea- some of the priorities for SIDS. A level rise brought about by cli- preparatory committee, co- mate change, the world’s 52 Small chaired by New Zealand and Sin- Island Developing States (SIDS) gapore, has finalised the outcome will take the spotlight in Apia, document which will go before the Samoa on 1-4 September 2014. conference for approval. The Third International Confer- It is noted that SIDS have specific ence on SIDS will provide world vulnerabilities, and the difficul- leaders with a first-hand opportu- Downtown Apia, Samoa. ties they face are severe and com- nity to experience climate change plex. The small size of SIDS cre- and poverty challenges of small security and waste management, ates disadvantages, which can islands. sustainable tourism, disaster risk include limited resources and It is envisaged that there would reduction, health and non- high population density. be the creation of over 200 con- communicable diseases, youth and These can contribute to overuse crete partnerships to lift small women. and depletion of resources; high islanders out of poverty – all of The list of 52 SIDS covers a wide dependence on international whom are facing rising sea levels, geographical area and includes trade; threatened supply of fresh overfishing, and destructive natu- Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, water; costly public administra- ral events like typhoons and tsu- Bahrain, Nauru, Palau, Maldives, tion and infrastructure; limited namis. Cuba, Marshall Islands, Suri- institutional capacities; and lim- The issues on the conference name, Timor-Leste, Fiji, Tonga ited export volumes, which are too agenda include sustainable eco- and Vanuatu. small to achieve economies of nomic development, oceans, food The conference is expected to scale. adopt a plan of action, also called

ECLAC in the Caribbean

Enhanced skills needed for expanded ICT use in available ICTs. More importantly, the Disaster Risk Management highly-specialized skills needed to implement and maintain new ICT INFORMATION and communication (GIS) applications to model the poten- projects are often difficult to source in technologies (ICTs) have the potential tial impacts of a hurricane and to the Caribbean. to significantly improve the manage- identify areas at risk of landslides, Co-author Williams, noted: “It’s clear ment of disaster risk in the Caribbean. are examples of this. that lives and money can be saved if This according to a new ECLAC study, The study identifies the need for in- Caribbean countries can make more entitled Information and Communica- creased attention to be given to the effective use of ICT systems in disas- tion Technologies for Disaster Risk sharpening of technical skills in ICT ter planning and response, but much Management in the Caribbean. for disaster risk management, if the more attention must be given to the Co-authored by Atiba Phillips and region is to benefit meaningfully from development of the expertise required Robert Crane Williams, it describes this opportunity. to implement these systems and to many opportunities for the use of ICTs Some 13 disaster risk management keep them running. It is therefore in improving disaster planning and offices in the region surveyed in the important to find ways to increase and prevention. publication, report an inadequacy of support the size of the ICT talent pool Geographic Information Systems technical skills for optimal use of in the Caribbean.” Page 2 The Hummingbird Focus on the ECLAC Family The Regional Roundup Weather warning for Farewell to Kohei Yoshida Saint Lucia

AFTER the devastating rain and flood of December 2013, Saint Lucia citizens have been urged to remain vigilant over the next few months, as the island braces for possible low pressure systems that weather officials predict could become the region’s first major cyclone A collapsed road in Saint Lucia in December 2013. for the 2014 hurricane season. The Miami-based National tropical depression, while it Hurricane Center (NHC) re- moves generally west - ported showers and thunder- northwestward, and urged storms associated with an area them to monitor the progress. of low pressure was located Last December, five people about 1000 miles east of the were killed and Saint Lucia southern Windward Islands. suffered millions of dollars in AT the end of July, we said Bon Voyage to Associate Economic Offi- The NHC warned residents of losses after a low level trough cer Kohei Yoshida, who was part of the ECLAC for three years. We the Lesser Antilles that envi- system caused widespread wish him well on his new post in New York, USA. ronmental conditions were damage also in neighbouring marginally conducive for this islands of Saint Vincent and system to development into a the Grenadines and Dominica.

Pirate Phrases Pirate phrases are fun to help * Blimey! - exhortation of sur- get you into the mood of talk- prise. Recipe: Pepperpot ing and acting like a pirate. * Blow me down! - expression Here are some popular ones of shock of disbelief. PEPPERPOT is one of the and what they mean: * Heave Ho - give it some mus- easiest traditional Caribbean * Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! - exhor- cle and push it. foods to prepare. The only tation of discontent or disgust. * Landlubber - big, slow thing you'll need that's out of * Ahoy! - Hello! clumsy person who doesn't the ordinary is a bottle of Cas- * Batten down the hatches - know how to sail. sareep, but you'll find that it's put everything away on the * Savvy? - do you understand a good investment because you ship and tie everything down and do you agree? are sure to want to make this because a storm is brewing. * Scuttle - to sink a ship delicious traditional Carib- bean recipe again. 1 small bunch fresh thyme, or Pepperpot tastes best with What’s Up … upcoming events in the Caribbean 2 tsp dried thyme leaves plantain, coo-coo or fresh ½ head garlic, diced DATE EVENT LOCATION bread as side dishes, but also ½ tsp ground clove goes well with ground provi- 1 tsp ground sions or rice. 10 - 14 August Mas 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Salt and black pepper to taste Ingredients: 24 - 26 August Great race: Powerboat rac- Trinidad & ing Tobago 1 lb stewing beef, oxtail or Preparations: cowheel The traditional way to make 29-30 August North Sea Jazz Festival Curacao 1 lb pork or pig's trotters pepperpot is to cube meats, 1 lb shrimp or skinless chicken add all the ingredients to a ½ lb salted pigtail or salted 30 August Annual Rose Festival Saint Lucia large stewing pot and cover pork with water. ½ cup cassareep Bring to boil, reduce heat, 1 scotch-bonnet or habanero 3-9 September International Billfish Tour- Puerto Rico cover and simmer for approxi- nament pepper mately 2 hours, or until meat 1 large onion, diced is very tender. 10 September St George’s Cay Day Belize

A Publication of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). 1 Chancery Lane, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Tel: (868) 224-8000 Web: http://www.cepal.org/portofspain/