Caribbean countries have been equipped to better prepare for hurricanes and other hazards following the conclusion of a three-and-a-half year project to strengthen weather, water and climate services, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported on Monday.
The $6.5 million projectshowcased practical tools and policy-making priorities in line with a UN plan to ensure all people on the planet are covered by Early Warning Systems by the end of 2027.
Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological and Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean (CREWS Caribbean)targeted countries that are members of the regional bloc, CARICOM, with the ultimate goal of saving lives and incomes.
CREWS is the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems Initiative, a multilateral fund that supports the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The project addressed gaps in Early Warning Services which were identified in an assessment of the devastating 2017 Caribbean hurricane season, characterized by high-powered hurricanessuch as Irma and Maria that left a trail of damage, devastation and casualties across 12 territories.
The Caribbean is highly exposed to hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, landslides, and other severe hydrometeorological hazards, and exposure and vulnerabilities vary across the islands.
Each year, the region suffers from over $1.6 billion in damages triggered by natural disasters, according to the World Bank.
“Advances in science and technology make it possible to forecast hazards and disseminate warnings, but more can be done to strengthen understanding of the potential impact of complex hazards so that countries and communities can take appropriate anticipatory action,” WMO said.