Introduction
The Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Its Small Island Developing States are increasingly vulnerable to climatic events, which are becoming more intense, unpredictable, and frequent, resulting largely from the impacts of climate change.
Along with heightened exposure to natural hazards and decreased resilience to cope with this increased number of risks, the Caribbean region continues to experience a large volume of population movement and displacement. The latter is due to deteriorating economic conditions, violence, and worsening humanitarian contexts.
What are the needs?
Due to external factors such as ongoing conflicts and internal factors including reduced food import capacities, most countries in the Caribbean continue to experience unprecedented price hikes in food, inputs, and energy. The Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba are the countries in the region with the highest prevalence of insufficient food consumption.
Despite continuous efforts to strengthen national and regional disaster management systems, capacities are constantly challenged by the unpredictability, frequency and magnitude of events. In addition, Caribbean coastal areas are witnessing a 10% increase in sea level rise, above the global average. Coastal erosion, limited resources in protecting and maintaining sea defences and waterfronts, and marine resource degradation pose significant challenges to Small Island Developing States.
The 2024 hurricane season started earlier than ever and was devastating. It recorded 18 named storms; 9 of these storms became hurricanes and 5 were classified as major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). In July, a category 5 Hurricane Beryl hit multiple countries including Grenada, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, Barbados, and Jamaica. Between October and November, in less than 3 weeks, Cuba was struck by 2 hurricanes (Oscar and Rafael), in addition to 2 earthquakes of 5.9 and 6.8 magnitude respectively.
Last year also saw an increased number of displacement and movement of people across the Caribbean, particularly Haitians, Cubans and Venezuelans fleeing their countries because of insecurity or worsened social and economic conditions.
In several other parts of the Caribbean, food insecurity continues to be a concerning factor due to the slow erosion of livelihoods and coping capacities.
How are we helping?
Since 1994, the EU has provided over €215 million in humanitarian aid to the Caribbean (excluding Haiti). These contributions have supported disaster preparedness efforts and addressed the changing humanitarian context. For 2025, the initial allocation amounts to over €8.5 million (excluding Haiti).
In 2024, the EU allocated an additional €2.1 million to increase the humanitarian scope and maintain protection and education assistance in key countries where there is a large volume of refugee caseloads and that were also affected by a deteriorating crisis, such as the Dominican Republic. Also in 2024, €500,000 were allocated to disaster preparedness in the Dominican Republic, to complement existing funding and to cover some key gaps in their early warning systems.
During 2024, the EU released up to €4 million in humanitarian aid in response to several emergencies in Cuba. This included €3.3 million to address the impact of Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael in November, compounded by the 2 earthquakes that hit the island that month. At the time, the EU also funded an air bridge operation comprising 5 humanitarian cargo flights that transported 107 tonnes of aid, including supplies from the EU’s stocks based in Panama. Another €500,000 supported the health system, while the remaining €200,000 supported the response to the flash floods registered in April.
The 2024 active hurricane season heavily impacted other countries in the Caribbean as well. Following the impact of Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, the EU allocated €450,000 to WFP to respond to the most pressing needs in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The EU also contributed €200,000 to the IFRC’s DREF emergency operation in Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Additionally, via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU mobilised 4 experts in environmental damage and debris removal from Germany, Sweden and Spain to join UN teams in Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines that are supporting the local recovery efforts. Ireland, France and Austria have also sent emergency supplies via the mechanism to both Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, such as generators, shelter kits, tarpaulins and water tanks. The EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service also produced 15 satellite maps to support the damage assessment.
On 15 May 2024, the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding on integrated disaster risk management with the Latin America and Caribbean region. The first such agreement of its kind, it provides an important framework for enhanced region-to-region collaboration. Participation in the Memorandum extends to 3 other regional disaster management agencies, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), as well as 3 individual countries: Mexico, Cuba and Chile.
Last updated: 15/05/2025
Facts & figures
Around 216,000 Venezuelan refugees and asylum seekers live in the Caribbean (predominantly in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago), facing protection risks.
More than 1 million vulnerable people of Haitian origin live in extremely difficult conditions in the Dominican Republic. In 2024 alone, the reported number of deportations out of the country reached 278,000 cases, including vulnerable women and children. Additionally, almost 1 million people in the Dominican Republic are under IPC 3+, thus facing concerning food security challenges.
EU humanitarian funding:
€215.5 million since 1994 (funding excluding Haiti*)
Over €8.5 million in 2025