The Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC) announces the publication of “Disasters and Crises in the Caribbean Region: A Review of Experiences in Seven Islands.” This pioneering report supported by UNESCO, provides an in-depth review of disaster experiences in the context of communication and information, across Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The publication highlights the regional imperative for stronger communication, recognizing the Caribbean’s profound vulnerability to hurricanes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, drought, and health crises, the report underscores the critical importance of robust, culturally sensitive, and timely communication before, during, and after disasters. The research affirms that the capacity and resilience of local media are just as vital as physical infrastructure in saving lives, countering misinformation, coordinating aid, and supporting equitable recovery in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Some of the key findings and lessons learned include the impact of disasters across the Caribbean is shaped as much by communication gaps and information flow as by the actual force of the events; the fact that local journalists, despite often working with limited resources and in hazardous conditions, play a life-saving role in disseminating emergency information, exposing accountability issues, and amplifying community voices; and the need for continuous, trauma-informed disaster reporting training, investment in resilient news infrastructure, and improved partnerships among media, government, and humanitarian agencies is central to building regional resilience.
Among the recommendations for action, the report calls for targeted investment and collaborative action to upgrade tools and safety equipment for newsrooms and field reporters; establish and maintain redundant communication channels, streamlining Freedom of Information processes and enact supporting legal frameworks and formalize partnerships between media, authorities, and aid organizations for coordinated crisis messaging.
“This report is a call to action for governments, media leaders, and international partners. Strengthening the communicative infrastructure of the Caribbean is not optional in the era of climate and health emergencies… it is essential to saving lives, preserving development gains, and sustaining democracy,” said Kiran Maharaj, President of the Media Institute of the Caribbean.
Dr. Paul Hector, Officer in Charge at the UNESCO Regional Office for the Caribbean, emphasized, “The lessons highlighted underscore the need for policy reforms, institutional investments, and community engagement to build a safer, more informed, and resilient Caribbean for all.”
“Disasters and Crises in the Caribbean Region: A Review of Experiences in Seven Islands” is published by the Media Institute of the Caribbean can be accessed at: www.mediainstituteofthecaribbean.com or https://online.flippingbook.com/view/970074714/
