Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management

Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management
Name	Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management
Status	Active
Genre	Conference
Frequency	Biennial
Location	Caribbean
Organiser	Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
Established	2003

Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management The Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management is a regional forum that convenes policymakers, practitioners, and researchers to address hazard resilience and risk reduction across the Caribbean basin. The conference brings together representatives from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, United Nations agencies such as United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, development partners like the World Bank, multilateral institutions such as the Caribbean Development Bank, and technical organizations including the Pan American Health Organization.

Overview

The conference focuses on disaster risk management in the context of Caribbean states such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda and engages regional bodies like the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, CARICOM, Association of Caribbean States, United Nations Environment Programme, and Inter-American Development Bank to address hazards including hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding. Delegates include officials from ministries (e.g., Ministry of National Security (Jamaica), Ministry of Health (Trinidad and Tobago)), scientists from institutions such as the University of the West Indies, UWI St. Augustine, UWI Mona, and practitioners from emergency services like Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service and Jamaica Defence Force. The forum routinely features speakers from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, OXFAM International, World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, and academic partners including Harvard University, Oxford University, Columbia University, and London School of Economics.

History and development

The conference traces its origins to post-2000 regional initiatives that followed major events such as Hurricane Ivan (2004), Hurricane Gilbert (1988), and the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and it evolved alongside instruments like the Hyogo Framework for Action and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Early editions were framed by donor dialogues involving the European Union, United States Agency for International Development, Canadian International Development Agency, and the United Nations Development Programme while technical guidance drew on research from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology and the Seismic Research Centre (UWI). Over successive meetings the conference incorporated climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, urban risk research from World Urban Forum participants, and financing discussions with Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and Green Climate Fund representatives.

Organization and governance

The conference is typically convened by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with CARICOM, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and partner agencies such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Pan American Health Organization, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Governance structures involve steering committees comprised of ministers from countries like Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, civil society actors such as Caribbean Policy Development Centre, and private sector stakeholders represented by chambers such as the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce. Funding and logistical support have come from donors including the World Bank, European Commission, USAID, and philanthropic foundations like the Rockefeller Foundation.

Themes and agenda

Annual themes have included integrated risk management, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and community-based adaptation, linking technical strands from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Caribbean Meteorological Organization, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, and academic initiatives at University of the West Indies. Sessions often cover finance mechanisms referencing the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, legal frameworks such as model legislation promoted by CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, health emergency protocols from the Pan American Health Organization, and critical infrastructure resilience exemplified by discussions with Port Authority of Jamaica and Trans-Caribbean Pipeline stakeholders. Training workshops draw on methodologies from International Organization for Migration, United Nations Office for Project Services, and research collaborations with CERMES (UWI), The Nature Conservancy, and World Resources Institute.

Participating members and partners

Participants include national delegations from member states like Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Guyana, Suriname, and dependencies such as Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands, alongside regional bodies CARICOM, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Association of Caribbean States, and global partners such as the United Nations, World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and bilateral agencies including USAID, Department for International Development (UK), and Global Affairs Canada. Non-governmental organizations present include Red Cross, Oxfam, CARE International, Save the Children, and networks such as the Caribbean Policy Development Centre and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency Volunteers while private sector partners have included Digicel, Massy Group, and insurance firms participating via the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility.

Major outcomes and impact

Outcomes from the conference have included regional strategies aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, policy recommendations adopted by CARICOM Heads of Government, technical standards influencing the Caribbean Development Bank lending criteria, and capacity building programs implemented by University of the West Indies campuses and Pan American Health Organization. The forum has catalyzed underwriting solutions with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, pilot projects supported by the Green Climate Fund and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, and integrated early warning initiatives coordinated with the Caribbean Meteorological Organization and NOAA. Reports presented have informed national disaster plans for Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and influenced post-disaster recovery frameworks after events like Hurricane Maria (2017) and Hurricane Dorian (2019).

Criticism and challenges

Critics have pointed to gaps highlighted by civil society groups such as Caribbean Policy Development Centre, issues raised by academics from University of the West Indies and University of Guyana regarding implementation, and concerns voiced by affected communities in Haiti and Dominica about equity and local participation. Funding constraints noted by Caribbean Development Bank and coordination challenges involving CARICOM, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and multiple UN agencies have complicated follow-through, while debates continue about the role of private insurers like firms participating in the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and the influence of bilateral donors including USAID and the European Commission on national priorities.

Category:Disaster management conferences