Cultural Emergency Reponse: Decentralizing CER: A Regional Hub in the Caribbean Region

Abstract

June 7, 2022

In 2022, CER aims to establish a Regional Hub for Cultural Emergency Response in the Caribbean. This Hub will become the go-to-center for any cultural emergency due to disaster or conflict. It will manage emergency preparedness, capacity building for heritage protection and coordinate the urgent rescue and preservation of cultural heritage in the region.  With CER becoming an independent organization (July 2022), it finally has the opportunity to further expand its activities in the Caribbean, and also work in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Before its independence, activities in this area were limited because of the mandate of the Prince Claus Fund. Especially after the devastating Hurricane season of 2017 (Irma, Dorian, Maria), it became painfully clear that cultural heritage and cultural institutions are incredibly vulnerable in the region. Currently, the infrastructure, capacity and materials for heritage protection and rescue in time of crisis are lacking. Even though there is considerable awareness and many experts focusing on cultural emergency response and preparedness, there is no local entity coordinating these efforts yet.

The development of a Caribbean Hub will organize and strengthen the local capacity and infrastructure for crisis response and heritage protection in a sustainable and inclusive way. In case disaster strikes, the Hub makes sure there is available expertise and material that can easily be deployed to the affected area. In non-crisis times, it will work closely with the local communities and networks to prepare for emergency situations as to prevent permanent loss of the region's heritage.