International Development Grant

Targeted Support to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

Project Number: CA-3-P006122001

Status: Operational

Country/Region: Unknown

Regional Focus:

West Indies 100%

Maximum Contribution: $8,200,000.00

Start Date: February 25, 2019

End Date: December 31, 2025

Duration: 6.8 years

Project Description

The project aims to improve comprehensive disaster management in the Caribbean Region with a focus on vulnerable populations particularly women and girls. The project is designed to strengthen the response to disasters through: (1) improved emergency communications capacity; (2) training of response teams; and (3) funding for local early recovery projects in impacted countries. The project also contributes to strengthened disaster management in the Caribbean by: (1) increasing the technical capacity of the Coordinating Unit; (2) improving the Caribbean Risk Information System; and (3) supporting the coordination of partners. The primary beneficiaries of this project are the populations of the 18 member countries of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) particularly those living in disaster prone communities and those in vulnerable groups as well as the CDEMA Coordinating Unit and the National Disaster Offices.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved gender-sensitive disaster response in CDEMA Participating States; and (2) strengthened CDEMA Coordinating Unit for gender-responsive delivery of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2024 include: (1) trained 371 regional and national stakeholders in regional disaster response; (2) funded 6 core positions within CDEMA with a successful transition to having these positions funded through the organization’s administrative budget for sustainability; (3) hired 3 additional specialists to deliver enhanced support to participating states for gender equality emergency telecommunications and research; (4) strengthened the Regional Response Mechanism by establishing the Integrated Regional Logistics Hub to move medical supplies around the region during the COVID19 crisis; (5) provided 2 new solar powered generators to support teams deployed to the field after an emergency; (6) delivered search and rescue training to 60 officers from Antigua and Barbuda Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. This includes 12 trained as regional instructors; (7) launched the Caribbean Risk Information System and trained 85 stakeholders in using the geographical information system component for improved evidence-based decision-making; (8) supported enhanced governance through Comprehensive Disaster Management in the region; (9) strengthened coordinating unit Information and Communications technology systems for remote working e-learning and enhanced Records Information Management; (10) increased the percentage of emergency communications standards achieved by 18%; (11) initiated the process to develop a more sustainable model to financing for the Agency; and (12) completed 2 early recovery projects in St Vincent and the Grenadines benefitting 7 schools and a Livestock farm affected by the eruption of La Soufriere volcano in 2021.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
NGM Americas

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Women's rights organisations and movements and government institutions 1%
Material relief assistance and services 12%
Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 12%
Disaster prevention and preparedness 75%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Level 1 Participatory development and good governance
Level 1 Climate Change Adaptation
Level 2 Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR)
Level 1 ICT as a tool for development
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2018-04-01 to 2019-03-31 $8,200,000 CAD
Geographic Information
510
Project Number: CA-3-P006122001