Hillsborough, March 27th - The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA), in conjunction with the Health Ministry and Ministry of Communications and Work, is involved in a joint exercise in Carriacou and Petite Martinique ahead of the start of the 2009 hurricane season. They are carrying out an assessment of buildings that would be designated as hurricane shelters. Forecasters are predicating that the Caribbean will be hit this season by 14 tropical storms, seven of which are expected to develop into hurricanes. As part of the assessment exercise, a three-member delegation visited Carriacou and Petite Martinique on Friday, March 27, to look at buildings such as schools, churches and community centres. They delegation comprised civil engineer Francisco Diaz: civil engineer, architect Julio Gonzalez, and Dhranraj Ramkhelawan, from the Ministry of Health. The team was accompanied Minister for Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs, Senator Hon. George Prime, architect Lorna Charles and NaDMA’s Community Programme Officer, Shaun Patrice. Meanwhile, Disaster Awareness Week 2009 will be held from May 24 - 31. It is an annual education event to heighten public awareness on matters related to disaster preparedness. From:Deanna Isaac, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs