Being prepared, said Attorney-General and Minister of Home Affairs Freundel Stuart yesterday, could prevent millions of dollars in damage and much loss of life.

He was speaking at a meeting held at Grand Barbados Beach Resort, Aquatic Gap, St Michael, and attended by representatives of several public and private sector agencies, including the Department of Emergency Management, the Fire Service, and the Ministry of Education.

With the start of the 2008 season two months away, Stuart said: "I trust that by now most, if not all of you, are prepared and that your preparedness is in place.

"As you are aware, hurricane preparedness is an ongoing exercise and so it is necessary for all of us to continue to develop that common understanding of preparedness which is achieved only by bringing together the various stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and emergency management, as we are doing now," he added.

He said that although Barbados had been spared a "severe hazard impact in recent times", everyone should bear in mind the millions of dollars in damage that could result from such an occurrence.

"In addition, such a disastrous event would set back the developmental achievements so far registered. There must therefore be a strong emphasis on and promotion of disaster risk reduction with specific attention being paid to those physical measures aimed at avoiding or reducing damage from disasters," he added.

Stuart's comments came at his first national disaster preparedness meeting with stakeholders where he was briefed on the activities, plans and general concerns related to their state of readiness.

The minister also spoke of the critical role the private sector had and urged them to identify a liaison officer to work with the Department of Emergency Management to formulate or finalise their disaster plans. (DS)