The Caribbean Community says it has installed a Regional Communications Centre (RCC) as a specialist unit within the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to manage crisis communications during the Cricket World Cup (CWC).

According to a statement from Caricom the centre is linked to its ad hoc sub-committee on security for the CWC 2007 and is mandated to develop and manage an effective communications programme on such issues as the Caricom Special Visa, the Single Domestic Space, security arrangements, public health safety and disaster management. Leonard Robertson, Adviser Public Information in the Office of the Caricom Secretary-General, will lead the team as the Regional Media Coordinator. The team includes communication specialists from the Caribbean as well as advisers on security communications from the United Kingdom.

The RCC, located on the second floor of the Barbados government’s office complex at Warren’s, operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week and works in conjunction with a network of national and regional media liaisons, government information services and other regional services. The RCC team is available to international and regional media to facilitate their information needs on issues not related to cricket.