The Child Development Agency (CDA) has activated its Disaster Management and Mitigation Plan in all its 60 residential child care facilities.
The agency's chief disaster committee, regional sub-committees and location disaster teams are on high alert as the Met Office monitors the approach of Tropical Storm Tomas.
The CDA is urging operators of residential child care facilities to review evacuation plans with the children and staff and to reassure the children who may be anxious and worried about their safety and that of family and friends.
Facilities that are located in remote areas should also finalize arrangements for children with chronic illnesses, who may need to be relocated to less remote areas, where emergency services can be easily accessed.
Carla Francis Edie, Chief Executive Officer of the CDA, is also appealing to the general public to remember that, the safety and security of all children is paramount and, therefore, parents, guardians and caregivers must give due consideration for their needs, especially when making decisions about evacuation.
The CDA says conditions of a storm, such as lightening and thunder, can be very frightening for children and therefore, care givers are recommended to allow them to keep close one or two of their favourite books, toys or any other item that give them comfort and alleviate their anxiety during the passage of the storm.
A core team from the CDA has been rostered to attend the 24 hour National Emergency Operation Centre at the Bustamante Hospital for Children to monitor all facilities during and after the storm.
The CDA is reminding its staff that as an essential service under the Ministry of Health, the agency is on call at all times and workers may be called on to support our activities during the storm.
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