CDEMA & CDB – Streamline Disaster Management Funds

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), with support from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), has developed and will implement new procurement and contract management procedures to facilitate a more streamlined and efficient use of their resource pool, including disaster management funds.

According to a release from the CDB, after conducting a routine assessment of its operations, geared toward the continual improvement of financial management practices, a number of recommendations for improving the unit’s procurement system were identified.

Updating the existing procurement manual to address gaps related to procurement and contract management was among the suggestions.

CDB said its support included providing training and financing consultancy services to prepare a procurement and contract management manual that will act as a practical guide to CDEMA’s staff.

It said the new procurement and contract management framework was presented to participants from 13 of CDEMA’s 18 participating states on March 7 during a one-day workshop at the bank.

During the workshop, officers from the region’s National Disaster Offices were trained in the new procedures, and tabled their queries about the new manual, which will apply to procurement undertaken within participating states for future CDEMA CU projects and activities.

The new manual outlines changes to existing procedures, including a formalized structure for procurement and contract management; the addition of a procurement officer on CDEMA’s team; and a more transparent process that will allow the private sector to identify opportunities, access contract award information and understand their rights and responsibilities, outlined CDB.