From Ivan to Beryl: how to strengthen hurricane resilience in the Caribbean

The IAI and UWI celebrate the signing of a collaboration agreement, focused on strengthening research and education on climate change in the Caribbean

 

Last 3 October 2024, the hybrid symposium “Hurricanes in the Caribbean: Best Practices, Lessons Learned and Resilient Development", a free event that brought together experts and professionals from various disciplines to exchange knowledge and strategies with the objective of strengthening the resilience of Caribbean nations in the face of hurricanes and extreme weather events.

Organized by the University of the West Indies (Mona Campus), the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the symposium provided a platform for dialogue on how to protect the most vulnerable populations and prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.

The Caribbean region, renowned for both its natural beauty and its exposure to adverse weather events, has faced numerous catastrophes that have generated serious economic and social consequences. During the symposium, speakers analyzed the impacts of past events, such as Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria in Dominica, and Hurricane Ivan in Grenada and the Cayman Islands, where economic losses exceeded 200% of national GDP.

This event highlighted the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing as key elements to ensure the safety and well-being of Caribbean communities while promoting sustainable development in the region.

Speakers included David Smith, Institute for Sustainable Development (The University of West Indies) and member of the IAI’s Science-Policy Advisory Committee; Evan Thompson, Senior Director of the Jamaica Meteorological Service and Chairman of AR IV WMO; Gabrielle Gayle (Jamaica Climate Change Youth Council), Jovana Hoschtialek (195in365 Inc, Grenada), Delroy McLean (C&W Business/Flow) and Elizabeth Emanuel (Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility, Cayman Islands).

You can view the presentations below:

  1. Dr. Jhordane Jones, Climate Studies Group Mona (CSGM) - Presentation 
  2. Mr. Evan Thompson, Director Principal: MetService, Jamaica and President, Regional Association of World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Member States in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean - Presentation 
  3. Mr. Delroy Mclean, Senior Director: Enterprise, Government and Multinationals, Cable and Wireless Communications, Jamaica - Presentation 
  4. Nakhle Hado, Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Preparedness and Response, Food for the Poor, Jamaica - Presentation 
  5. Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director, CDEMA, Barbados - Presentation 
  6. Ms. Jovana Hoschtialek, Founder, 195in365 Inc, Grenada - Presentation 
  7. Ms. Elizabeth Emanuel, Lead Consultant, CCRIF - Presentation   
  8. Ms. Teresita DaSilva, Preparedness and Planning Manager Hazard Management Cayman Islands - Presentation    
  9. Dr. Terence Walters, National Disaster Coordinator, National Disaster Management Agency, Grenada - Presentation 
  10. Mr. Kishan Khoday, Resident Representative, The Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and Turks & Caicos United Nations Development Programme - Presentation 
  11. Mr. Richard Thompson, Executive Director, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Jamaica  - Presentation