Geneva - 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 backed by a €4 million grant from the European Union under the European Union‑Caribbean‑Resilient Programme (EU‑CA-RES). The project will support governments, communities and the private sector to prepare for and recover from disasters.
EU-CA-RES, led by the European Union, with UNDP, UNDRR, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) as the implementing partners, will provide a range of solutions for both governments and communities to withstand such shocks, and advance private sector participation in these efforts.
The UNDRR-led component will support the strengthening of Multi Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS) in Belize, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Suriname. These systems alert people before disasters strike, giving them time to prepare and stay safe. The project will work with local governments and communities to ensure these systems are inclusive and accessible to everyone, including women, people with disabilities, and those living in remote areas. Engagement with the private sector will improve and expand the reach of these systems, and foster a collaborative approach to building resilience in the Caribbean.
The UNDP-led components will help countries plan better for recovery after disasters. UNDP will work with governments in Belize, Jamaica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to review their current recovery practices, policies, institutions and finance capacities to strengthen their readiness for recovery. This also includes training government officials to plan and promote data-driven decision making in their recovery efforts.
The project will support these countries in developing robust and comprehensive methods to assess the longer term macro-economic impacts after a disaster through Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs). By leveraging digital tools and participatory approaches, these PDNAs will enable governments to fully understand recovery needs and expedite help to people who need it most.
In addition, communities and local leaders in Belize, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Grenada and SVG will also receive context-specific training to bolster their readiness for recovery, which includes disaster‑resistant construction methods to restore livelihoods.
Caribbean nations face many challenges: powerful hurricanes, floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. These hazards often overlap with social and economic stresses, such as the lasting impacts of the COVID‑19 pandemic, and forced migration of people due to political and governance crises. Together, they significantly impact public health, food security, livelihoods and infrastructure.
EU-CA-RES has a strong focus on inclusivity. It will prioritize gender, disability and youth empowerment, ensuring that the most vulnerable communities have a voice. Peer-to-peer exchanges among countries in the Caribbean will promote sharing of emerging lessons and best practices.
EU‑CA-RES will work closely with national authorities and specialized regional stakeholders, including the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the World Bank, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). The programme will also engage with, members of the Regional Early Warning Systems Consortium (REWSC), and the Caribbean Chambers of Commerce (CARICHAM), the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) and the Regional Security System (RSS) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
"The Caribbean region is on the frontlines of climate change and disaster risk, facing threats that undermine development and livelihoods", said Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Crisis Bureau Director. "Our partnership with the EU and UNDRR, as well as with UNICEF, WFP and key intergovernmental organizations in the region, will ensure that every community, regardless of size, location or circumstance, can prepare better for shocks, recover stronger and continue to thrive in the face of growing challenges."
"Our partnership under the European Union Caribbean Resilient Programme is a vital step towards strengthening the Caribbean's ability to anticipate and respond to hazards. By enhancing multi-hazard early warning systems and fostering broad collaboration, we are empowering communities to be better prepared, ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, can build lasting resilience against future shocks," said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Head of UNDRR.
By integrating early warning systems with robust recovery planning and inclusive governance, the programme will support the Caribbean's journey toward sustainable development and disaster resilience, ensuring that communities can thrive despite growing challenges.
