Ms. Sophia Mitchell is the Senior Director of the Preparedness and Emergency Operations Division (PEOD) at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), where she provides leadership in strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to prepare for, respond to and manage emergencies and disasters.

In this role, Ms. Mitchell supports the implementation and coordination of national disaster preparedness and emergency management initiatives at the national, parish and community levels. Her responsibilities include supporting programmes focused on preparedness planning, emergency response coordination, technical guidance, exercise planning and execution, and other measures to strengthen Jamaica’s resilience to a range of hazards.

The Preparedness and Emergency Operations Division works closely with government agencies, parish disaster committees, private-sector and voluntary organisations, and other stakeholders to enhance national preparedness and ensure coordinated action before, during and after emergencies.

Ms. Mitchell has also been involved in community-level disaster preparedness and public awareness initiatives. In 2012, 2015, and 2023, through a partnership with the St Catherine Municipal Corporation, she piloted the first tsunami-ready community, Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine, to improve community preparedness and emergency telecommunications systems in Jamaica.