The European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) have launched a four-year initiative under the European Union‑Caribbean‑Resilient Programme (EU‑CA-RES), supported by a €4 million EU grant. The programme aims to strengthen early warning systems and build recovery capacities across Caribbean nations, helping governments, communities, and the private sector prepare for and respond to disasters.
EU-CA-RES, implemented in partnership with UNDP, UNDRR, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP), provides comprehensive solutions for both governments and communities to withstand climate and crisis shocks. The initiative also encourages private sector participation to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience in the region.
The UNDRR-led component focuses on improving Multi Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in Belize, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Suriname. These systems provide timely alerts before disasters, allowing communities to take necessary precautions. Efforts include making the systems inclusive and accessible to women, people with disabilities, and residents of remote areas, while private sector engagement expands their reach and impact.
UNDP leads the components that strengthen post-disaster recovery planning in Belize, Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Governments will receive support to review recovery policies, institutions, and financing capacities, along with training for officials to make data-driven decisions. The programme will also develop Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs) using digital and participatory methods to assess long-term macroeconomic impacts and accelerate recovery for affected populations.
Communities and local leaders in Belize, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will receive training tailored to their local contexts. This includes disaster-resilient construction methods and strategies to restore livelihoods after disasters. The programme emphasizes inclusive approaches, prioritizing gender, disability, and youth empowerment to ensure that vulnerable populations have a voice in resilience-building efforts.
The Caribbean faces frequent and overlapping hazards such as hurricanes, floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes, compounded by social and economic stresses like the COVID‑19 pandemic and migration crises. EU‑CA-RES promotes peer-to-peer exchanges among Caribbean countries to share best practices and lessons learned, enhancing regional cooperation.
The programme collaborates with national authorities and specialized regional stakeholders, including the Caribbean Development Bank, the World Bank, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Partnerships extend to regional entities such as the Regional Early Warning Systems Consortium, CARICHAM, IMPACS, and the Regional Security System of CARICOM.
UNDP and UNDRR leadership emphasized that the Caribbean is on the frontlines of climate change and disaster risk. The initiative integrates early warning systems with robust recovery planning and inclusive governance to ensure sustainable development and disaster resilience. By strengthening preparedness, recovery capacities, and regional collaboration, EU‑CA-RES aims to empower Caribbean communities to thrive despite growing climate and crisis challenges.
