Jamaica is ranked as the third most vulnerable country in the world to multiple natural hazards.

That’s according to Regional Coordinator at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Marlon Brown, as he addressed business leaders at the monthly meeting of the St.Mary Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

He noted that one natural disaster can severely impact the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Pointing to last year’s devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, Mr. Brown stressed the importance of effectively preparing for such disasters.

Meanwhile Parish Disaster Coordinator for St. Mary, Adrian Tate, said while St. Mary was not heavily impacted by hurricane Melissa, there are lessons to be learnt from the weather event to boost the parish’s preparation for future storms.