The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has strengthened its hurricane response system, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The agency made the move today, in partnership with key stakeholders, as the Caribbean prepares for what is forecast to be another active hurricane season.
Speaking at the event, hosted earlier today at the Manor Lodge in St Michael, Barbados, CDEMA Communications Specialist, Keith Goddard, said the MoU supports rapid deployment of emergency response teams with pre-approved financing, and mobilisation when a participating state requests assistance.
“CDEMA continues to strengthen the regional response mechanism, our flagship coordination system that supports participating states when emergencies strike. A critical part of this readiness is ensuring we have the right partners at the table. Those who could help us move quickly, effectively, and efficiently in moments of crisis. I’m therefore pleased to announce that CDEMA has recently completed discussions and will formalise partnerships through Memorandum of Understanding with three key entities… the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, Castrol Shipping, and Sunrise Airways,” he said.
The MoU signed expires on 31 March 2026.
Speaking at the signing, CDEMA Executive Director Elizabeth Riley said the move is a significant investment in regional resilience.
“They expand the logistical reach of the regional response mechanism, and reflect the collective commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods across our participating states. We at CDEMA are confident that with the support of these critical partners, our regional response mechanism is now better equipped to respond swiftly to emergencies and to continue building a more resilient Caribbean,” she noted.
Riley said that as the 2025 hurricane season approaches, the Caribbean region should be reminded that the region’s vulnerability is high, hence the ongoing need for preparedness.
She stressed that according to predictions, the season is expected to be above average in activity, as indicated by the Colorado State University’s early forecast delivered in early April.
Riley noted that according to experts, it is anticipated that there will be 17 main storms, with nine expected to become hurricanes, and four likely to reach major hurricane status.
