The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has launched the Safer Building Program to enhance resilience strategies across the region. This initiative, developed in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ), and other key stakeholders, carries the theme “Build Safe: Constructing Homes for Tomorrow.”
Backed by the government of Norway, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners, the program aims to improve infrastructure, increase safety, and prepare for more frequent and severe weather events. Its main objective is to strengthen the resilience of homes and communities in the Caribbean against hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions.
This launch marks the culmination of five years of collaboration, beginning with an initial investment of over US$270,000 from the CDB’s Special Development Fund. A key component of the project is the updated Code of Practice (COP) for House Construction, initially developed in 2005 and recently revised with CDB’s support to ensure homes can withstand Category 5 hurricanes.
To promote the updated code, regional train-the-trainer workshops have already equipped professionals in 16 countries with the necessary skills, ensuring its principles are effectively applied across the construction industry.
“CDB is pleased to mark another significant milestone in our collective journey to build a more resilient Caribbean,” stated Michel Thomas, CDB’s Operations Officer. He emphasized that the updated code of practice, along with capacity-building initiatives and awareness campaigns funded by the Bank’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS), will not only make homes disaster-resistant but also foster an ecosystem to protect vulnerable Caribbean communities amid a changing climate.
Elizabeth Riley, executive director of CDEMA, highlighted the severe impact of disasters on housing in the region. “We’re proud to partner with key regional and development organizations to achieve resilience, particularly in the housing sector. The economic cost of disasters in the region has been substantial, surpassing US$28 billion over the past seventy years. Climate change has undeniably triggered significant shifts in our weather patterns, resulting in severe and catastrophic consequences for our communities,” Riley noted.
The CDB also pointed out a major achievement of the initiative: the establishment of a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) program, which certifies artisans and contractors based on the updated Code of Practice standards. This program provides formal recognition of skills for those in the informal construction sector, many of whom play a crucial role in regional disaster risk reduction efforts. Additionally, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) studies were conducted in eight countries to inform training programs and awareness campaigns, promoting the adoption of safe building practices throughout the region.