CDEMA - Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

The 2026 National CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) Training and Exercise is currently underway in Belize!

As the final training activity in CDEMA’s 2026 CDRU programme, the exercise brings together 40 personnel from Belize’s military, police, and fire services to strengthen national and regional disaster response capabilities under the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM).

Led by Mr. Rasheed Pinder, CDEMA’s Programme Officer, Preparedness and Response, the training combines classroom instruction with practical field exercises, focusing on regional relief and logistics arrangements, deployment procedures, emergency telecommunications, the CDEMA Logistics System (CLS), warehouse management, safer building techniques, and the use of the CDRU deployment kit.

Running from June 15–22, 2026, the exercise will culminate in a simulated deployment, equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and operational readiness to support humanitarian response efforts across Belize and the wider Caribbean.

The training is funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and The World Food Programme.

🇬🇾The countdown to CDM 14 officially began in Georgetown, Guyana.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in partnership with the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, officially launched the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM 14) with a high-level Partnership Breakfast, bringing together regional leaders, development partners, the private sector, financial institutions, and technical agencies to advance collaboration for a more resilient Caribbean.

The event featured a keynote address by The Honourable Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on “Resilience as Statecraft: Governing at the Speed of Risk.” Opening and welcome remarks were delivered by representatives of CDEMA and the Government of Guyana, including Ms. Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director, CDEMA; Lt. Col. Kester Craig, Deputy Executive Director, CDEMA; Ms. Andria Grosvenor, Planning and Business Development Officer, CDEMA; and Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain, Director General of Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission (CDC). The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Keith Goddard, CDEMA Communications and Public Relations Specialist.

The launch served as a reminder of the importance of advancing the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy through strong partnerships and collective action as the region prepares for the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM 14), to be held in Georgetown, Guyana, from December 7–12, 2026, under the theme “Sustainable Communities, Resilient Sectors, Safer States.”

Closing Ceremony – North Western Sub-Regional CDRU Training and Exercise 2026

The North Western Sub-Regional Focal Point CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) Training and Exercise 2026 concluded with a closing ceremony on June 1, 2026, at the Pegasus Hotel, Jamaica, celebrating the successful completion of the programme and the continued strengthening of regional disaster response capacity.

The ceremony featured opening remarks by Mr. Rasheed Pinder, Programme Officer, Preparedness and Response, CDEMA, and welcome remarks by Commander Alvin Gayle, Director General of ODPEM. Brief remarks were also delivered by representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), and His Excellency Ambassador José María Fernández López de Turiso, Ambassador of Spain to Jamaica. Mr. Atlee Rodney, Deputy Executive Director of the Regional Security System (RSS), delivered the featured remarks.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates, recognizing the dedication and commitment of participants who successfully completed the training. The exercise enhanced the operational readiness of personnel from the disciplined forces across the North Western Sub-Region, reinforcing the Caribbean’s collective capacity to respond effectively to disasters.

🚨 Field Training in Action – CDRU Jamaica 2026

Participants in the North Western Sub-Regional CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) Training and Exercise 2026 engaged in a series of practical field training activities designed to strengthen regional disaster response capabilities.

Through realistic deployment scenarios, participants applied skills gained during instructor-led sessions, including emergency telecommunications, logistics coordination, relief operations, and field camp establishment. The exercises also reinforced teamwork, leadership, and operational coordination, key components of an effective regional response.

Held in Jamaica from May 24 to June 1, 2026, the training brought together personnel from the disciplined forces across participating states, enhancing their readiness to support humanitarian operations and emergency response efforts throughout the Caribbean.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was pleased to welcome British Deputy Defence Attaché, Sqn Ldr Emily-Jane Philpott, to its Headquarters in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday, 11 June.

During her visit, Sqn Ldr Philpott met with Deputy Executive Director, Lt. Col. Kester Craigg, for productive discussions on matters of mutual interest, including opportunities for continued collaboration and strengthening partnerships in support of regional disaster management and resilience-building efforts.

Following the meeting, Sqn Ldr Philpott was given a tour of the CDEMA Headquarters, where she gained further insight into the Agency’s work and its role in coordinating disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation initiatives across the Caribbean.

CDEMA values the importance of strategic partnerships and continued engagement with regional and international stakeholders as we work collectively to build a safer and more resilient Caribbean.

“Resilience depends on our ability to coordinate, collaborate, and translate information into action.”

From May 25–29, 2026, CDEMA participated in three key regional engagements hosted by the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), with the support of the European Union, in Nassau, The Bahamas:

📍 14th EWISACTs Coordination Partners Meeting
📍 2026 Wet/Hurricane Season Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF)
📍 EU–Caribbean Coordination Meeting on the Provision of Meteorological and Climate Services

Representing CDEMA, Disaster Risk Management Specialist; Ms. Curmira Gulston engaged with National Disaster Offices and regional and international partners to advance discussions on climate services, early warning systems, climate impacts monitoring, forecast-to-action approaches, and disaster risk management.

These engagements provided critical climate and risk information to guide preparedness, planning and response efforts ahead of the 2026 Wet and Hurricane Season. Discussions examined seasonal outlooks, emerging risks associated with drought, heat, flooding and tropical cyclones, the launch of the Caribbean Climate Impacts Database (CCID), advancements under the ClimSA Programme, and new opportunities to strengthen meteorological and climate services across the Caribbean Basin.

The countdown to CDM 14 officially begins.
CEMAand the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana are pleased to convene the official Launch and Partnership Breakfast for the 14th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM 14).

This high-level engagement will bring together regional leaders, development partners, private sector stakeholders, financial institutions and technical agencies to advance dialogue and partnerships around resilience, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development in the Caribbean.

📍Pegasus Suites & Corporate Centre, Georgetown,Guyana
📅17 June 16, 2026
⏰8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

⚠️Please note: In-person participation is strictly by invitation only.

For persons unable to attend physically. CDEMA will publish the virtual participation link closer to the event date.

🔗RSVP Here: https://forms.cloud.microsolit///u5gSh4msa

The official Launch and Partnership Breakfast for CDM 14 will feature a keynote address by:

Hon. Mark Phillips
Prime Minister
Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Keynote Topic: “Resilience as Statecraft: Governing at the Speed of Risk”

At a time when climate threats, economic disruptions and global uncertainties continue to reshape our world, this keynote will set the tone for a bold regional conversation on leadership, resilience and the future of Caribbean states.

📍Pegasus Suites & Corporate Centre, Georgetown, Guyana
📅June 16, 2026
⏰8:30 AM - 10:30 AM

A In-person participation is strictly by invitation only.

CDEMA will publish the virtual participation link closer to the event date.

RSVP Here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r 7uSgSh4msa