Second Phase of Joint Programme on Human Security in Disaster Displacement and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean Region Launched.  

1 May 2024.  A Joint Programme on “Promoting a Human Security Approach to Disaster Displacement, Environmental Migration, and Disaster Risk Reduction in the Caribbean Region” is moving into its second phase.  The programme will aim to enhance disaster risk management systems and capacities, to support adaptation to the effects of climate-induced displacement and migration, with a people-centred approach.  The programme will also build awareness among local, national and regional stakeholders about the human security approach to address issues related to human mobility, climate change, and disasters in the Caribbean Region.  

The countries slated to benefit are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.  

Project Manager at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Viola Pascal, expressed her enthusiasm for Phase 2 stating “It will focus on supporting greater buy-in and uptake from the stakeholders across the region. We will continue to promote an increase in awareness on human mobility and disaster linked to climate change in the region through the lens of the human security approach. By working with our new implementing partner, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, we have strengthened partnership for DRR. We have also added multi-hazard early warning system consideration to this initiative.” 

The human security approach emphasizes protection and empowerment to reduce insecurities and build resilience.  Phase 1 of the Joint Programme enhanced guidance resources for managing disaster displacement and cross-border evacuation in the Eastern Caribbean (OECS). Most OECS countries signed off on a new High-Level Ministerial Declaration for Migration Environment and Climate Change in 2023. This declaration reaffirmed the commitment of these governments to proactively address disaster displacement and climate-induced migration, using the human security approach.  

This new stage will further integrate the human security perspective to environmental migration and disaster risk management across the Caribbean.   Programme Management Officer at the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Jair Torres, emphasized the importance of this initiative stating, "The role of UNDRR […] is pivotal in this project. Our aim is to reduce insecurities and bolster resilience in Caribbean communities, businesses, and institutions. Our approach prioritizes people." 

The initiative will be implemented by IOM and UNDRR in collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The joint programme is funded by the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security. 

For more information about the Joint Programme, please contact Viola Pascal at vpascal@iom.int