Op-ed: From the Frontlines to the Front of Action: How the Caribbean is Leading on Early Warnings for All

For the Caribbean, disasters are not headlines — they are lived experiences. From powerful hurricanes to flooding and drought, every season brings reminders of the region’s exposure to climate risk.

But across the Caribbean today, a different story is emerging. One not only of vulnerability — but of leadership.

The Caribbean is stepping forward as a pioneer in delivering one of the most ambitious global climate adaptation initiatives: Early Warnings for All — a commitment to ensure that every person is protected by early warning systems by 2027.

In a major milestone, the Caribbean became the first region in the world to formally launch and begin implementing this initiative.

And that leadership was on full display today in Port of Spain, where regional and international partners convened for the Regional Workshop on Impact-Based Forecast and Warning Services (IBFWS) and the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) for the Caribbean, organized by the Caribbean Meteorological Organization and the World Meteorological Organization. The event was opened, on behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, by Mr. Shakeer Baig, Acting Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Utilities — a clear demonstration of national commitment to strengthening early warning systems as a cornerstone of resilience.

Making early warning systems work — from start to finish

For years, early warning systems have often operated in pieces. Forecasts would be issued, warnings disseminated, and communities expected to act — sometimes without clear information or enough time.

That is now changing.

Across the region, countries are building end-to-end systems that connect the science of forecasting with real-life decision-making. This means making sure that warnings are clear, practical, timely, and able to reach everyone — especially those most at risk

It also means shifting from technical language to human understanding. People do not need to hear about wind speeds or rainfall totals — they need to know what it means for their homes, their livelihoods, and their safety.

Partnerships driving progress

This transformation is being powered by strong partnerships. At the centre is the CREWS Caribbean 2.0 programme, which is supporting countries to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems and close critical gaps.

On 26-29 May 2026 in Port of Spain the CREWS programme is hosting a regional workshop on Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services and the Common Alerting Protocol for the Caribbean gathering meteorologists and hydrologists from the region.

The CAREWS programme brings together key regional institutions such as the Caribbean Meteorological Organization (CMO), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), alongside global partners including WMO, UNDRR, ITU and the Red Cross movement. In Trinidad and Tobago, implementation of the programme is implemented in cooperation with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) which is the lead national institution responsible for coordinating how the country prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disasters.

This work is supported by a dedicated group of donors, including the CREWS trust fund, the Green Climate Fund, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Together, they are helping countries move from planning to implementation — and from pilot projects to systems that work at scale.

Caribbean solutions, Caribbean learning

One of the strengths of the Caribbean approach is the spirit of regional solidarity. Countries are working together, learning from each other, and adapting solutions to their own contexts. This is South–South cooperation in action — not theory, but practice. Whether through regional workshops, technical exchanges, or shared systems, knowledge is flowing across borders, helping to accelerate progress for all.

Progress that is already saving lives

The results are becoming visible. Across the region countries are developing early warning roadmaps and action plans, national systems are being strengthened and tested, alerts are already reaching thousands of people in real time. Communities are being trained and equipped to respond before disasters strike. This is what success looks like: not just better forecasts, but earlier action, stronger preparedness, and reduced risk.

Trinidad and Tobago: a whole-of-society approach in action

The regional effort is reflected at country level, including in Trinidad and Tobago, where the United Nations system has been working closely with government and partners to strengthen resilience across sectors and at the community level.

A key step has been the introduction of the Disaster Risk Information Management System (DRIMS), which is helping decision-makers better understand risks through improved data and analysis. This allows for stronger planning, better coordination, and more effective early warning.

At the same time, disaster risk reduction is being integrated into national environmental policy. Through an inclusive national process, risk considerations are now informing the revision of the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, recognizing that protecting ecosystems is essential for resilience to flooding, coastal hazards and environmental degradation.

At the community level, tangible progress is underway. Through the Community Flood and Early Warning Systems initiative, monitoring infrastructure has been expanded, strengthening the country’s ability to detect and forecast flooding. Flood mapping of high-risk areas has improved local response mechanisms, while community training has ensured that residents understand how to act early when warnings are issued.

Importantly, this work places strong emphasis on inclusion. Women and girls, who often face different risks and barriers in disaster contexts, are being actively engaged to ensure that early warning systems respond to their specific needs. At the same time, particular attention is given to persons with disabilities, who may not receive information through standard channels or may face additional challenges in evacuation. By designing systems that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to diverse needs, early warning efforts are becoming more effective for all members of society.

Additional UN-supported initiatives—from strengthening logistics preparedness to advancing communication systems and digital tools—are further enhancing early warning and response capacity, including future work to strengthen last-mile alerts under the Early Warnings for All initiative.

Taken together, these efforts demonstrate how the UN system, though its many specialised agencies (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Meteorological Organization, International Telecommunication Union, with critical implementation capacity and delivery at country level programme management ensured by the United Nations Development Programme, World Food Programme, United Nations Children’s Fund, UN Women, and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Working across sectors and alongside national partners, the UN system is supporting a whole-of-society approach to resilience — where data, policy, infrastructure and community action are fully connected.

A new generation leading the way

As I looked around the room at today’s workshop, I was struck by something else.

When I began my career in development, this profession—meteorologists, hydrologists, and early warning specialists—did not look the way it looks today. What we are witnessing now

is the emergence of a new and dynamic field, made up largely of young professionals working at the intersection of science, technology, and public service.

They are harnessing new tools, generating new data, and advancing new understanding as we collectively experience and respond to increasingly complex weather events. They are working with automated systems, innovative technologies, and cutting-edge science—often building these systems even as they are being deployed.

This is truly a profession of the future.

What is equally striking is how they work: in networks that cross borders, cultures, and institutions; collaborating across disciplines; breaking down silos that have traditionally defined how we approach risk and response.

To this new generation of professionals, quietly working behind the scenes to protect communities and save lives: thank you for your service. Your work is not only advancing science—it is shaping a safer future for us all.

A moment of opportunity

There is still work to be done. The 2027 deadline is close, and progress must accelerate.

But what is happening in the Caribbean offers a powerful lesson. Early warning systems are not just about technology — they are about people, trust, and coordination.

The region is showing how global ambition can be translated into real, practical solutions — and how even the most vulnerable regions can lead.

If this momentum continues, the Caribbean will not only protect its people. It will help shape how the world addresses disaster risk in the years ahead.