Caribbean: Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname

The Caribbean region is very vulnerable to natural disasters, ranging from hurricanes and storms, to flooding, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Today, more than ever, the Caribbean faces the challenges of climate change.

The impacts of emergencies and disasters are felt by individuals and communities are long-lasting, and show the need for support like psychosocial care, as well as protection from gender-based violence and gender inequalities.
 

Building community resilience in the Caribbean

From 2011 to 2015, the Canadian Red Cross worked to implement the Caribbean Community Resilience to Disaster Risk project. This project worked with 45 communities to develop risk reduction strategies in Dominica, Guyana, and Jamaica. During this time, Red Cross volunteers helped to conduct Family Disaster Plans household visits, over 800 people were trained in First Aid for emergencies, over 500 Red Cross staff and volunteers were trained in survey techniques, and gender sensitization training took place.

Now, the Canadian Red Cross is using this experience to implement the Community Resilience Building Caribbean Region program in communities that are vulnerable to disasters in Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname.

This project is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada, and aims to build community resilience to disaster and crises as well as strengthening the cooperation and coordination between National Disaster Offices and local Red Cross Societies.

For all activities under the Community Resilience Building Caribbean Region program the themes of gender quality, environment and climate change adaptation, community engagement, and project sustainability will play important roles.
 

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