Caribbean Stakeholders Called Upon to Enhance Regional Hurricane Evacuation Protocols

The Caribbean faces a growing threat of climate-induced displacement and migration, requiring urgent preparedness measures, especially with the Atlantic hurricane season fast approaching. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, floods, coastal erosion, rising sea levels, and droughts, all exacerbated by climate change. These environmental shocks not only disrupt economies but also deepen socio-economic vulnerabilities, leading to both internal displacement within countries and cross-border migration to neighboring nations. Recognizing this critical need, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its partners are urging media outlets and stakeholders to disseminate crucial information and resources, specifically the Cross-Border Evacuation Protocol and Best Practices cards, available on Trello, to strengthen regional preparedness and response mechanisms ahead of the hurricane season. These resources aim to equip communities, policymakers, and first responders with standardized procedures to manage climate-related displacement effectively.

The urgency of this call to action is underscored by the upcoming regional workshop titled “Mainstreaming Human Mobility and Human Security in Caribbean Climate and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies: Progress and Way Forward,” scheduled for March 25-26, 2025, in Saint Kitts and Nevis. This workshop, organized by IOM with funding from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS) and a French-funded project on Environmental Migration and Disaster Displacement, will serve as a critical platform for government officials, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to collaborate on integrating human mobility considerations into national climate and disaster risk reduction strategies. This includes incorporating these crucial aspects into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and broader Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) frameworks.

The Cross-Border Evacuation Protocol and accompanying Best Practices Cards are indispensable tools for Caribbean nations grappling with climate-induced migration and displacement. These resources provide structured guidance for managing population movements in the face of environmental disasters, promoting efficient national and regional coordination, and ultimately safeguarding displaced populations and enhancing their resilience. The protocols address key challenges in cross-border evacuations, such as coordinating logistics, ensuring access to basic needs for evacuees, and navigating legal and administrative procedures across different jurisdictions. The Best Practices Cards offer practical advice and examples of successful evacuation strategies, drawing on experiences from past disasters and incorporating lessons learned.

The March 2025 workshop, a crucial element in the broader strategy to strengthen regional resilience, aims to achieve several key objectives. Firstly, it will assess the progress made by Caribbean nations in integrating human mobility considerations into their respective climate policies. This evaluation will help identify successes and remaining gaps, informing future policy development. Secondly, the workshop will provide training on the application of the Environmental Migration, Disaster Displacement, and Human Security Policy Assessment Tool. This tool helps governments analyze the effectiveness of their policies in addressing the complex interplay of environmental change, human movement, and security concerns.

Further objectives of the workshop include identifying policy gaps and opportunities for improvement in disaster and climate mobility strategies, sharing best practices to ensure the dignity, safety, and livelihoods of displaced populations, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships for enhanced regional collaboration. Critically, the workshop will also address a key challenge: financing. Discussions will focus on exploring climate finance mechanisms to bridge funding gaps specific to displacement, migration, and planned relocation initiatives, acknowledging the significant financial resources required to implement effective climate adaptation and disaster preparedness measures.

The overarching goal is to build a more resilient Caribbean region capable of effectively managing the complex challenges of climate-induced displacement and migration. The workshop is a vital step in this process, facilitating dialogue, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders. The success of this regional effort hinges on the widespread dissemination and adoption of the Cross-Border Evacuation Protocol and Best Practices Cards.

The call to action emphasizes the urgent need for media and stakeholders to amplify the dissemination of these vital resources through various platforms. By ensuring that the Caribbean community is well-informed and prepared, the region can enhance its collective resilience and disaster response capabilities. Integrating human mobility considerations, through the lens of human security, into climate and disaster risk reduction policies is paramount in building a future where Caribbean SIDS can effectively navigate the challenges posed by a changing climate. The upcoming workshop, the available resources, and the collaborative spirit of regional partners represent crucial building blocks in achieving this vision.