Miami Involved in Summit Disaster Management Initiative

 
During the week of May 27, a team from the Department of State, USAID and other agencies visited Miami to promote the Disaster Management Initiative, a project introduced as part of the Plan of Action of the Third Summit of the Americas in April. The initiative seeks partnerships between public and private sector organizations to promote disaster response, and above all, preparedness. In addition to showcasing Florida's and Miami's expertise in disaster management, it will provide create sector employment opportunities, especially in the area of professional services.

The team met with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce as well as other private and public sector groups to explain how the United States will promote the Disaster Management Initiative. It is intended to serve as a model for the implementation of the more than 500 action items stemming from the three Summits and as a test case for the Global Development Alliance, which seeks to better integrate public-private sector cooperation in development assistance. A hemispheric conference in San Jos�, Costa Rica dealing with the issue of disaster preparedness will be an opportunity to highlight Florida's, and specifically South Florida's, capability to provide expertise and services in this important area.

In a presentation at the University of Miami's North-South Center on May 30, Kerri DiZoglio, a presidential management fellow in the Western Hemisphere division of the State Department's Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination, cited the Disaster Management Initiative as the example of the practical fruits of the Summit process. Ms. DiZoglio can be contacted at (202) 548-9772 in Washington, D.C.