As the Atlantic Hurricane Season reaches its peak, the Caribbean has taken a major step to improve disaster response. Over 47 disaster management professionals from across the region and beyond have joined forces to launch the first-ever Shelter Technical Working Group. The initiative, led by the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency and the International Organization for Migration, is designed to strengthen shelter operations, ensure fair aid distribution, and make shelters safer and more inclusive—especially for vulnerable groups. The group has already set up a WhatsApp network and a website for instant updates, resource sharing, and technical guidance. Partners such as UNICEF, Red Cross, and ShelterBox have pre-positioned relief supplies, including tents, solar lamps, and hygiene kits, at CDEMA’s logistics hub in Barbados. Supported by the European Union’s RESILIENT CARIBBEAN Project, the working group will also provide training and coordinate rapid aid when disasters strike, ensuring no one is left behind.
