Rising climate change disasters highlight the need for a multi-hazard early warning system in the Caribbean.
The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction co-hosted a crucial regional webinar on November 27th to discuss ‘Human Security, Human Mobility, and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems to Achieve Resilience in the Caribbean Region.’
Marine biologist and community advocate from Antigua and Barbuda, John Mussington, highlighted a key area of focus during disasters.
“The members of the community are the clients which are the recipients of response efforts after major disasters like Irma. They therefore must be the focus of any recovery and rebuilding efforts after these disasters.”
Director of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Michelle Forbes, called for increased community engagement when disasters occur.
“Community resilience is key. Intersectoral coordination. We have seen the impact in Union Island. We have seen the impact in northern part of the island. The need for more community engagement, community coordination, building that community resilience.”
Sharing critical data, Technical Consultant for the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative with UNDRR, Alana Lewis, spoke to the impact of disaster events in the Caribbean.
“The World Bank identifies that by 2050, they project some 17 million persons will need to move because of climate change in search of better livelihoods.”
The webinar ended with an engaging Q&A session, allowing participants to ask questions and share their perspectives.