PARAMARIBO, Suriname, Jun 10, CMC – The Suriname government has signaled its intention to expand its cooperation with the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDEMA) to better prepare the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country to deal with floods, severe winds, and other natural disasters.
CDEMA executive director, Elizabeth Riley, Tuesday held talks with President Jennifer Greelings-Simons and according to the state-owned the Suriname Communication Service (CDS), the meeting was also attended by NCCR Coordinator Jerry Slijngard.
It said that the discussions focused on the support Suriname can receive through the regional network in the areas of disaster risk management, climate resilience, and crisis response.
According to Slijngard, the visit was intended to familiarise the President with the role of CDEMA and the opportunities for further cooperation.
“It was not just about an introduction, but also about the support Suriname can receive through CDEMA in the further development of national disaster management,” the NCCR coordinator said.
The CDS said that during the meeting, the joint country work programme of CDEMA and the NCCR was also discussed. The programme focuses on training, disaster drills, plan development, and public awareness campaigns, among other things.
Riley said that Suriname, like other Caribbean countries, is increasingly confronted with the consequences of extreme weather conditions. Specific attention was paid to inland flooding and damage caused by severe wind phenomena.
Shw said Suriname can benefit from experiences and techniques that have been successfully applied elsewhere in the Caribbean.
“Suriname has always responded quickly whenever member states needed help. That solidarity is particularly appreciated within the CDEMA network,” said Riley, expressing expressed her appreciation for the support Suriname has provided in the past to Caribbean countries affected by natural disasters..
CMC/fh/ir/2026