UK and Caribbean Deepen Disaster Preparedness Ties Ahead of 2025 Hurricane Season

Bridgetown, Barbados — As the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has formalized a new partnership with Caribbean nations to enhance regional disaster preparedness and emergency response. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on Wednesday, May 28, at the headquarters of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in Barbados.

The partnership will provide flexible emergency funding of up to USD $375,000 per country, with an immediate mobilization fund of $50,000 available to facilitate rapid response efforts. The funding is intended to support emergency response teams in the event national capacities are overwhelmed.

Speaking at the signing, British High Commissioner to Barbados Simon Mustard reflected on the lasting impact of recent storms and underscored the UK’s continued commitment to the region.

“Gentlemen, here we are again at the start of another Atlantic Hurricane Season, with the memory of last year’s deadly and devastating events still sharp in our minds — a season that ranked as the third costliest on record,” said Mustard.

“Hurricane Beryl alone caused an estimated USD $1.5 billion in damage and took 18 lives. The storm slashed GDP by 16.5% in Grenada and 22% in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Those are staggering figures — which is why the work we’re launching today with CDEMA is so critical.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                     High Commissioner Mustard stressed the urgent need for proactive measures in the face of increasing climate-related disasters, noting that even though forecasts for this season are slightly below last year’s, Caribbean nations still face immense risk.

“Each year, countries across this region look anxiously across the Atlantic, wondering if they will be next to lose a decade of development gains in a matter of hours.”

The UK’s support will also include ongoing efforts through the £350 million UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, which delivers climate-resilient infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and renewable energy systems. Additional support is being funneled into healthcare resilience and disaster risk financing, including expansion of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility to include coverage for water utilities.

“We are investing in smart healthcare facilities and pushing the blueprint for resilient health infrastructure, as well as expanding renewable energy use, including geothermal and offshore wind,” Mustard added.

The UK also reaffirmed its commitment to respond to any CDEMA requests for assistance within 24 hours, recognizing the vital importance of timely humanitarian response.