Background
The Caribbean region is vulnerable to many different natural hazards, including floods and droughts; tropical storms and hurricanes; landslides; earthquakes; tsunamis and volcanic events. These natural hazards change the natural environment and result in social and economic disruption, trauma, property damage and loss of life.
Climate change resulting from global warming is ongoing and the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicts rising temperatures, accentuated sea level rise, changing precipitation patterns, ocean acidification, and more extreme weather events (including stronger hurricanes) for the Caribbean region.
Since 1974, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has been responding to requests from its member countries for assistance with post-disaster rehabilitation. The Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines, 2009, provide a comprehensive approach to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
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Damage to Sandy Gully, Kingston, Jamaica following Tropical Storm Gustav, August 2008  |
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CDB’s Project Services Division is responsible for leading the Bank’s work programmes on disaster risk management, climate change, environment, gender, governance, regional public goods, procurement and social development.
Disaster risk management and environmental sustainability are identified as cross-cutting themes in CDB's 2005-2009 Strategic Plan, having direct impact on the Bank's four externally focused strategic objectives: broad based economic growth, inclusive social development, good governance, and regional cooperation and integration. Supporting environmental sustainability and advancing the climate change agenda has been identified as a core theme for the Seventh Cycle of the Special Development Fund (2009-2012).
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