EU and IOM launch initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness across the Caribbean

Communities across the Caribbean will be better prepared to face hurricanes and other natural hazards thanks to the Resilient Caribbean Project, a new initiative funded by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO) and implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). 

The €1.1 million project will support 13 CDEMA participating states by strengthening disaster preparedness and response capacities, improving regional collaboration, and ensuring inclusive support for the most vulnerable populations. 

Ms. Michelle Forbes, Director of National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), welcomed the project: “We are pleased to join this project and support this initiative that will be implemented across our region. As a multi-island state, St Vincent and the Grenadines is no stranger to the impacts of hazards.  The recent events have shown that we have had internal migration within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The recent experiences from Hurricane Beryl saw population being displaced across the country, especially in the Southern Grenadines.  And hence, a project like this that has different approaches in terms of mass evacuation plans, looking at the early warning system, and hence, enhancing capacity at the national level is very much welcome”. 

“At times, our well-intentioned strategic plans may fail to translate into tangible benefits for communities” said Mandela Christian, Programme Manager for Preparedness and Response (CDEMA).  “This project places people at the center, ensuring that the voices of those (who are) most affected guide our actions, and that outcomes are felt on the ground where they matter most.” 

The EU’s commitment to strengthening Caribbean resilience was recently formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the Latin America and Caribbean regions. Building on this framework, Daniela D’Urso, the Caribbean Coordinator and Regional Expert for Latin America and the Caribbean for DG ECHO emphasized that “this action will deliver concrete results for the most vulnerable, while also strengthening the region’s overall preparedness and resilience. ECHO stands ready to accompany IOM, CDEMA, and national authorities throughout this endeavour, guided by the principles of partnership, accountability, and collective responsibility.” 

Alexandra Bate, IOM Project Manager, explained that the project will integrate displacement and human mobility into disaster plans, advance displacement data and community early warning systems, strengthen coordination and logistics for emergency shelters, and deploy rapid, lifesaving response during emergencies.   

Alongside CDEMA, national disaster offices, Caribbean Shelter and Non-Food Item Thematic Working Group partners, IOM will work with the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) to build capacities on displacement data, and CIMA Research Foundation to support risk and vulnerability assessments using their methodology, already piloted in one Caribbean country. 

IOM’s Coordinator for the Caribbean, and Chief of Mission for Barbados, Patrice Quesada closed with three main takeaways: 

“First - Preparedness starts with people. Communities know their needs best. We will intensify our efforts to train and support local national and non-governmental organizations to lead.  

“Second - Preparedness means the right supplies, in the right place, at the right time when families need them most. On day one and months later. 

“And last, disaster preparedness and response on day-one, and months later, is all about partnership. No one can do it alone.” 

The Resilient Caribbean Project represents a joint commitment by the EU, IOM, and CDEMA partners to make Caribbean communities safer, stronger, and more resilient in the face of climate-related risks.  

Watch the project launch at http://bit.ly/4nBdpwJ  

For more information on the project, please contact Project Manager Alexandra Bate at abate@iom.int or  IOMCaribbeanOffice@iom.int.