Armed Forces in the West Indies: a crisis management seminar
The Caribbean Academy brought together, from 23 to 30 March in Fort-de-France, senior officials and experts from across the Caribbean region for its first seminar on humanitarian crisis management (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief – HADR).
Organised by the Armed Forces of the Antilles (FAA), in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Regional Security System (RSS), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Regional Intervention Platform for the Americas and the Caribbean (PIRAC), this event aimed to strengthen regional cooperation in the face of crises.
An immersion in the heart of French operational capabilities
35 trainees attended a series of lectures on the geopolitical challenges facing the Caribbean, climate and humanitarian risks, and regional and international crisis response mechanisms.
These theoretical sessions were complemented by a simulation exercise, during which participants were required to collaborate on realistic scenarios. The week also featured several field visits within the FAA, offering participants a practical insight into the resources deployed in the region. In particular, the trainees were able to explore the French Navy’s overseas support and assistance vessel Dumont D’Urville, visit the 33rd Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMa), the Adapted Military Service Regiment (RSMA), and the Force Replenishment Vessel (BRF) Jacques Stosskopf. These immersive experiences provided a better understanding of the coordination between military and civilian actors in crisis management.
At the end of this training, participants leave with enhanced operational skills and will benefit from a better mutual understanding, which are essential for addressing the challenges facing the Caribbean region.
The Caribbean Academy aims to become a regional centre of expertise and training. It will offer two seminars a year: one on the theme of HADR and the other dedicated to maritime issues. These meetings will thus help to build a Caribbean network of expertise around a common objective: strengthening resilience and solidarity within the Caribbean region.
