PRESS RELEASE
WDC-44-2026
20 July 2026
Embassy Press and Information Section
info@phembassy-us.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., led by Deputy Chief of Mission Felipe F. Cariño III, held an introductory call with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), building on a voluntary financial contribution from the Philippines for relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
CDEMA Executive Director Elizabeth Riley presented an overview of the organization, which serves as the regional inter-governmental agency for disaster management of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Headquartered in Bridgetown, Barbados, CDEMA is responsible for the coordination of emergency response and relief efforts during disasters affecting its 20 member states and territories.
In terms of disaster response, CDEMA coordinates operations through an established Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) framework, composed of member states and other regional and international stakeholders. Executive Director Riley also outlined CDEMA’s efforts in helping strengthen national capacities of its members to be more resilient and responsive to calamities.
During the meeting, DCM Cariño highlighted the Philippines’ experience as among the most at-risk countries for natural disasters in the world, enabling it to develop comprehensive capacities in disaster risk reduction and management. Areas of interest for best practices exchanges identified during the meeting were on the use of science, technology, and innovation in disaster risk reduction and management, as well as in search and rescue during maritime-related disasters. ###