The Government of Saint Lucia and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed two cooperation agreements aimed at enhancing the country’s disaster response capacity. These agreements will provide tailored support to people at the highest risk during, and after crises. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy and the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment joined WFP’s Brian Bogart to ink agreements on anticipatory action and technical assistance.
Brian Bogart, WFP Representative and Country Director for the Caribbean Multi-Country, stated, “Our continued partnership with the Government of Saint Lucia reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that the most vulnerable people can access the support that they need in a timely manner. Strengthening anticipatory actions allows those at risk to take early steps, such as securing food and essentials before a storm makes landfall. This proactive approach is critical to reducing the impact of climate-related shocks on lives and livelihoods.”
The anticipatory action agreement establishes a system to deliver targeted, cash-based assistance to vulnerable households up to 72 hours before an expected hurricane. This proactive approach is guided by scientific forecasting and pre-defined risk thresholds, ensuring support is triggered only when specific risk levels are met.
“This is not a general or ongoing relief programme. Instead, it is a strategic pre-planned, mechanism designed to reach households that have been pre-identified as vulnerable. These include individuals already enrolled in existing government programmes such as the Public Assistance Programme (PAP), Child Disability Grant (CDG), and others. These individuals have been selected based on strict vulnerability criteria and the availability of their verified banking information,” the ministry said in a press release.
To ensure preparedness for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season, WFP, in partnership with the Ministry of Equity, will pilot the Anticipatory Action system later this month. Both the Government of Saint Lucia and WFP stress that Anticipatory Action is a critical component of a broader strategy to enhance disaster resilience. This system is designed to complement existing national programmes and bolster Saint Lucia’s overall disaster readiness capacity to respond to future crises.
“This is a smart, targeted approach, not a mass payout,” emphasised Imran Williams, Director of Finance. “Managing expectations is key, and our focus is on getting timely support to those most in need, when they need it most.”
In parallel with the Anticipatory Action Agreement, the Technical Assistance Agreement focuses on improving how the Government delivers social support programmes. Signed between WFP and the Ministry of Equity, the agreement will enhance data accuracy and beneficiary targeting. The work will also provide staff who deliver social support programmes with increased knowledge and skills to more effectively support people at risk. Overall, the two agreements will strengthen national systems to respond to both immediate and long-term challenges.
“We are investing in systems and people so that our social protection services are faster, smarter, and more resilient,” said Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte Emmanuel, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Equity.
The two agreements reflect a shared commitment between the Government of St. Lucia and WFP to promote a more proactive and inclusive approach to building resilience. These initiatives aim not only to address immediate needs but also to establish the foundation for more sustainable, data-driven social protection systems.
“These agreements represent a meaningful shift in how we prepare for and respond to crises,” said Joachim Henry, Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment. “By acting before disaster strikes and building stronger systems, we’re putting people at the centre of our approach. This partnership with WFP helps us move from reaction to readiness and ensures that our most vulnerable citizens are better protected.”
Both agreements are part of the WFP’s Caribbean Multi-Country Strategic Plan (2022–2026) and align with Saint Lucia’s national development priorities. As climate-related shocks increasingly affect small island developing states (SIDS), this collaboration underscores Saint Lucia’s leadership in creating forward-thinking solutions that safeguard lives and strengthen communities.