The increasingly severe impacts of cyclones, floods and drought in the Eastern Caribbean necessitates a rethink in the way OECS member states prepare for disasters and build longer-term resilience. Preparedness plans are typically out of date and disaster risk management agencies have limited resources. As a result, actions taken when extreme weather is forecast are ad hoc and incomplete. 

This workplan sets out a framework for making more effective use of resources based on extreme weather forecasts in the Caribbean, and the financial support and technical assistance required to strengthen the four key components of such a framework (forecasting and decision-making; timing and planning early actions; financing; and delivery). It builds on a scoping study undertaken on behalf of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, which included key stakeholder consultations, a multi-stakeholder workshop to determine interest and gaps in current mechanisms to address disaster risks, and a roundtable discussion with regional development partners.

Emily Wilkinson, Lena Weingartner, Blandine Arvis, Janot Mendler de Suarez and Andrew Kruczkiewicz