Red Cross societies develop hurricane Early Action Protocols

The Antigua and Barbuda Red Cross Society (ABRCS) is collaborating with regional partners to enhance hurricane preparedness through an Early Action Protocol (EAP) initiative. During a workshop held in Guadeloupe from August 17 to 20, 2026, representatives from the ABRCS, the St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society, and the Dominica Red Cross Society worked to finalize a sub-regional plan designed to trigger pre-funded humanitarian actions automatically based on disaster forecasts.

The initiative, hosted by the French Red Cross’ Regional Intervention Platform for the Americas and the Caribbean (PIRAC), aims to shift the focus from disaster response to anticipatory action. By utilizing credible forecasts, the protocol seeks to deliver aid before a crisis hits, thereby protecting lives and reducing losses in the Eastern Caribbean. The workshop also included a simulation exercise to test operational readiness and the activation process of these protocols.