Montserrat Outlines Disaster Resilience Priorities at UK OTs Conference

On the final day of the UK Overseas Territories Conference in Miami, Thursday, Information and Education Officer at the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), Shirlian Queeley, delivered a presentation on Montserrat’s strategic disaster resilience priorities for the period 2025–2028.

Her presentation supported the strategic design of a more robust and targeted disaster management project portfolio under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Civil Resilience Programme, which aims to enable multi-year programming across all UK Overseas Territories (UK OTs).

Key focus areas included DMCA’s Strategic Priorities (2025–2028), Core Capabilities for Development or Enhancement, and Local Priorities to Strengthen Montserrat’s Resilience.

Drawing reference to the recent heavy rainfall, which triggered widespread flash flooding across ghauts, culverts, low-lying, and flood-prone areas during the traditional dry season, Ms Queeley noted a stark example of the increasing impacts of climate change, and highlighted the urgent need for significant investment in multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk reduction technologies.

Ms Queeley emphasized the importance of modern tools and infrastructure for managing disaster risk in Montserrat, including flood sensors, real-time weather stations, multi-hazard early warning sirens, a national emergency mobile app, properly equipped multi-hazard emergency shelters, a water bowser for emergency water distribution and comprehensive vulnerability mapping to identify at-risk populations and infrastructure.

She called for long-term funding, training in critical areas, and technological innovation to improve early warning capabilities, enhance preparedness, and reduce disaster impacts.

Through strategic partnerships and inclusive community engagement, Ms. Queeley affirmed the DMCA’s ongoing commitment to a safer, more climate and disaster resilience Montserrat.

Ms. Queeley expressed her gratitude to DMCA Director Lt. Col. Alvin Ryan for the opportunity to represent Montserrat at this important forum. Samuel Paice, Head of the Governor’s Office, and Lt. Col. Ryan also attended the conference.

The May 20–22, 2025, conference brought together representatives from disaster management agencies and Governors' offices across the UK OTs to coordinate strategies, share lessons learned, and strengthen disaster preparedness across the Overseas Territories network.