The Caribbean region is highly exposed to natural hazards. 99% of causalities and 99% of the economic losses in the region can be traced back to hydrometeorological and climate-related phenomena. Climate change is expected to further exacerbate hazard levels while unplanned urban expansion and inadequate construction practices are reinforcing people’s vulnerability.
| Programme type: | Accelerated Support Window |
| Funding: | $6.5 million |
| Duration: | 2018 – 2023 |
| Status: | Completed |
Action
Warnings on the move
How to easily know what today’s weather – and the next 5 days – means for you wherever you are in Jamaica? Using a tool likely at hand? With 1 in 2 people using smartphones, a mobile weather app will warn the public when weather and water pose danger. Under development by its Met Service, Resurgence, and others with CREWS support, it fills a critical alerting gap in easy-to-access-and-understand warnings so people can act in time for safety. So most at-risk people use the app – especially women-headed households – 22 men and women from public safety, the Red Cross, media, farmers, fishermen, etc., collaborated on design, messaging, and dissemination. A solution is replicable across the Caribbean. A bonus – fishermen’s feedback led to new marine weather forecasts for small fishing and leisure boats.
