IFRC Pilots Anticipatory Action Protocols for Tropical Cyclones in Barbados and Belize
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with the Barbados Red Cross and Belize Red Cross, is piloting new Early Action Protocols (EAPs) for tropical cyclones in Barbados and Belize. This initiative, part of the Anticipatory Action for Small States (AA4SS) project, aims to enhance community resilience and preparedness by linking meteorological forecasts with pre-agreed financing. The protocols are designed to enable Red Cross teams and communities to protect homes, secure safe water, and receive early warnings before a cyclone makes landfall. This pilot program seeks to adapt the EAP tool to the specific challenges and resources of small island states, which are highly vulnerable to recurrent tropical cyclones, flash floods, and droughts. The Caribbean region, identified as one of the most disaster-prone areas globally by Shivanie Mahase, Programmes and Operations Officer for the IFRC, faces significant logistical hurdles in pre-positioning relief suppli...
