The Public University of the South in Les Cayes (UPSAC) launched on October 6 and 7, 2026, in Laborde, the University Committee for Disaster Risk Management (CUGRD/South), a new structure designed to contribute to disaster prevention and management in the South department. The initiative, carried out with the support of the General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) and the PHENIX project, specifically includes the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) into the university curriculum, the development of research, and the provision of trained personnel for local communities and civil protection structures.<\/p>

Over two days, university officials, civil protection executives, representatives of local authorities, firefighters, students, teachers, and members of local organizations exchanged views on the role the university can play in disaster prevention and strengthening the department's capacity through conferences and working workshops.

The Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of UPSAC, Jean Lucner Timogène, described the creation of the committee as a new step in the university's commitment to risk prevention. "We cannot limit ourselves to intervening when a disaster occurs. We must primarily develop a genuine culture of prevention and risk reduction," he stated.<\/p>

According to Jean Lucner Timogène, the partnership with DGPC and the PHENIX project should bring the knowledge produced by the university closer to the experience gained by field actors. "Risk management should not be perceived as the responsibility of a small group of specialists. It must become a shared responsibility of the entire university community," he insisted.<\/p>

The regional coordinator and departmental director of Civil Protection in the South, Pierre Marie Boutin, recalled that the department faces several risks, exacerbated notably by climate change, environmental degradation, and socio-economic vulnerabilities. "Disaster risk management requires reliable, up-to-date, and scientific data, documented to better understand the territories, populations, their vulnerabilities, and to inform planning and decision-making," he explained, estimating that authorities' decisions should be able to rely more on scientific data. He thus sees in the partnership between DGPC, UPSAC, and PHENIX an opportunity to strengthen local capacities. For the departmental director of Civil Protection in the South, "this collaboration should facilitate access to scientific data."<\/p>

For the municipality of Les Cayes, this committee is particularly important given the daily challenges the commune faces. The president of the commission, Jonel Banatte, believes that the initiative should allow for a better integration of territorial realities into national policies for combating climate risks. "We hope that this consultation will not just be an exercise in reflection, but will lead to concrete commitments, feasible projects, financing mechanisms, and a genuine strengthening of the capacities of local authorities," he stated, reaffirming the municipality's willingness to work with UPSAC and other partners to give a concrete follow-up to this initiative.

Through the new committee, UPSAC aims to strengthen training and research in DRM, while supporting Civil Protection and local communities, particularly in the development of contingency plans starting in 2027.<\/p>