The collaboration between the Inter-American Conference on Social Security (CISS) and the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) has enabled the organisation of several editions of the “Workshop on disaster risk management (DRM) with a social protection approach,” held in Honduras, Belize, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador during the period 2022–2025. These training sessions have benefited from the technical support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Network for Social Studies on Disaster Prevention in Latin America and the Caribbean (LA RED).

Against this backdrop, the workshop aims to strengthen technical and institutional capacities in the field of disaster risk management by adopting a comprehensive approach that integrates public policies on social protection and security, thereby contributing to sustained, inclusive and resilient recovery processes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

By 2026, SELA identified as a strategic priority the expansion of the workshop’s scope to the Caribbean, positioning it as a central focus of analysis. In this context, key sectors for the region—such as tourism, fisheries, infrastructure and public services, among others—will be addressed with the aim of identifying vulnerabilities, strengthening sectoral capacities and promoting a systemic approach to resilience.

The Caribbean region is critically exposed to hydrometeorological and geophysical hazards, the intensity of which is increasing due to climate change. In such a vulnerable region, disaster risk management (DRM) is no longer merely a technical option but has become a strategy for national and regional survival. The frequency and intensity of disasters make it essential to adopt a comprehensive approach that integrates public policy systems focused on disaster risk management with issues vital to the Caribbean economy and social welfare.

This multi-sectoral approach recognises the deep interconnection between the pillars of Caribbean society. It is not possible to protect tourism without safeguarding the infrastructure that underpins it, nor to revive the fishing industry if social protection systems fail to support the families affected. Furthermore, any effort will prove insufficient if basic water, energy and communications services collapse under the pressure of the emergency.

It is therefore essential to break down institutional silos in order to move from a reactive response to initiative-taking prevention. This paradigm shift aims to avoid communication breakdowns, duplication of information and technical incompatibilities, with a view to strengthening the Caribbean cooperation network that is so vital for facing an uncertain climate future with determination and technical resilience.

In this context, the workshop serves as a vital forum for fostering coordination and collaboration among key stakeholders in the public policy systems of DRM. Through the exchange of knowledge and experiences, the aim is to promote inclusive and sustainable solutions that not only optimise the emergency response but also contribute effectively to regional adaptation to climate change.

This activity aims to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of Caribbean countries in the field of disaster risk management, through a systemic approach that integrates social protection and coordination across strategic sectors.

• Promote the exchange of experiences, best practices and lessons learnt in disaster risk management.
• Strengthen the integration of social protection into public policies on risk management.
• Analyse vulnerabilities and capacities in strategic sectors across the Caribbean.
• Foster regional cooperation and inter-institutional coordination.
• Promote innovative approaches aimed at systemic resilience.

The workshop will be conducted using a participatory approach, combining technical presentations, case studies, opportunities for discussion and the sharing of experiences. It will encourage interaction among participants, facilitating collective learning and the development of proposals that can be applied to national contexts.

• Strengthening of technical capacity in disaster risk management.
• Greater integration of social protection into resilience strategies.
• Identification of best practices and opportunities for regional cooperation.
• Development of technical inputs for the design of public policies.
• Consolidation of networks for knowledge exchange among key stakeholders.

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