CDEMA - Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

CDEMA Strengthens Emergency Operations Centre Capacity in Antigua and Barbuda🇦🇬

CDEMA, through its Regional Training Centre, is conducting Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Management Training at the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) in Antigua and Barbuda, bringing together 33 participants from seven territories across the CDEMA system. The training aims to strengthen participants’ ability to manage and coordinate Emergency Operations Centres before, during and after disasters, with a strong focus on practical application, coordination, operational continuity and effective decision-making.

Participants are engaged in interactive sessions, group exercises and a capstone simulation. The programme also supports the development of a regional cadre of instructors to facilitate the wider rollout of CDEMA’s upgraded EOC Management Course.

The initiative forms part of CDEMA’s Strategic Programme 2022–2027 and supports the Agency’s commitment to strengthening the Next Level Regional Response Mechanism and building stronger regional capacity to coordinate disaster response.

CDEMA thanks NODS for hosting the training, as well as all participating territories and facilitators, for contributing to this important regional capacity-building initiative.

📢 VACANCY NOTICE: Internal Auditor Assistant

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) are jointly recruiting for the position of Internal Auditor Assistant.

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to apply.

CDEMA Advances the Next Level Regional Response Mechanism

The CDEMA Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) Validation Workshop concluded on 14 August 2026, following three days of technical sessions focused on strengthening the Caribbean’s collective disaster response capacity.

On Day 1, the Honourable Gregory Nichols, Minister of Home Affairs and Information of Barbados, delivered an address, while CDEMA Deputy Executive Director Lt. Col. Kester Craig delivered opening remarks, highlighting the importance of strengthening regional coordination, preparedness and response capabilities.

Led by the workshop consultant, sessions brought together National Disaster Coordinators and key regional stakeholders to review and validate the proposed future architecture of the RRM, including its strategic direction, operational roadmap, and monitoring and evaluation framework.

The outcomes of the validation process will contribute to the development of a more agile, coordinated and effective Regional Response Mechanism, better positioned to support CDEMA Participating States as the Caribbean’s risk landscape continues to evolve.

CDEMA Wraps Up Three-Day Workshop to Strengthen the Region’s Response Capacity

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) today concluded a three-day validation workshop focused on “Building the Next Level Regional Response Mechanism (RRM)”, bringing together key regional stakeholders to examine how the Caribbean can strengthen its collective capacity to respond to an increasingly complex disaster environment.

The workshop provided an important platform for participants to review and validate the proposed future architecture of the RRM, including its strategic direction, operational roadmap, logical framework and monitoring and evaluation approach.

Over the three days, discussions focused on how the RRM can become more agile, connected and capable of meeting the future demands of disaster response. Participants examined lessons from recent regional activations and considered the capabilities required to strengthen coordination, information management, logistics, communications, technology, financing and accountability.

The development of the Next Level RRM is a strategic priority for CDEMA under its Strategic Programme 2022–2027, supporting the wider Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and ongoing efforts to strengthen national and regional coordination frameworks.

The workshop also reinforced the importance of partnerships and collective action, recognising that when countries, institutions and response partners work together with clearly defined roles, established trust and shared systems, regional solidarity can be transformed into operational capability.

CDEMA thanks all Participating States, partners and stakeholders who contributed to the three-day validation process. The insights and recommendations generated will help shape a stronger regional response mechanism designed to better support Caribbean countries when disaster strikes.

Together, we are building a more responsive, coordinated and resilient Caribbean.

RegionalCooperation BuildingResilience NextLevelRRM

📢 Vacancy Announcement: Monitoring Officer

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency(CDEMA) invites applications for the position of Monitoring Officer.

Join us in supporting a safer and more resilient Caribbean.

🇯🇲 Happy Independence Day, Jamaica!

Today, CDEMA joins the people of Jamaica in celebrating Independence Day and the nation’s rich heritage, resilience, and achievements.

We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes for continued peace, prosperity, and resilience.

Happy Independence Day, Jamaica! 💚🖤💛

📢 Vacancy Announcement: Executive Assistant

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) invites applications for the position of Executive Assistant.

Join us in supporting a safer and more resilient Caribbean.

Building resilience starts at the community level.

Congratulations to the 23 graduates of Belize’s second Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) cohort!

Representing the villages of San Antonio and Santa Cruz in Orange Walk District, these dedicated volunteers successfully completed intensive training in disaster preparedness, basic first aid, fire safety, light search and rescue, emergency communications, damage assessment, and community response coordination. Equipped with new skills and personal emergency response kits, they are now better prepared to support their families, neighbours, and first responders before, during, and after emergencies. Emergency response equipment was also presented to the San Antonio and Santa Cruz Village Councils to strengthen community response capacity.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Hon. Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management; Rolando Zetina, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Public Service, Governance and Disaster Risk Management; Captain Daniel Mendez, NEMO National Emergency Coordinator; Andria Grosvenor, Programme Development and Business Development Manager (PBDM), CDEMA; and Chris Chin, Technical Consultant, BRICS Project. The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognize the Community Health Workers who successfully completed the CERT training facilitated by NEMO.

The CERT programme was implemented by Belize’s National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) with technical support from CDEMA through the Building the Resilience of CARIFORUM States to Disaster Risks and Climate Change Impacts (BRICS) Programme. The initiative is funded by the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening disaster resilience and community preparedness across Belize and the wider Caribbean.

Congratulations to all graduates, facilitators, village councils, and partners for advancing safer and more resilient communities.

During the Fifty-First (51st) Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, CDEMA Executive Director Elizabeth Riley and Dr. Cletus Bertin, Executive Director of the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation between the two organizations in advancing disaster resilience across the Caribbean.

The Agreement provides a framework for enhanced collaboration in preparedness, response, recovery, capacity development and knowledge sharing, recognizing the critical role of the energy sector in supporting resilient communities and effective disaster management.

Official Statement | Guyana 🇬🇾

CDEMA extends its deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Guyana following the tragic sinking of the MV Barima Ferry. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected and the emergency responders supporting ongoing response efforts.

📰 Please see the official press release for more information.