Message from the Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025
Theme: “Fund Resilience, Not Disasters”
Good day, and happy International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. This year’s theme, “Fund resilience, not disasters,” reminds us that the smartest investment any nation can make is in preparedness — not in response.
For Antigua and Barbuda, our multi-hazard early warning system, administered through the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service (ABMS), continues to be a critical shield of protection. During Tropical Storm Jerry, for example, timely forecasts and warnings helped reduce losses and protect lives. Yet, the very office that provides these life-saving warnings was flooded out during Jerry, underscoring the urgent need for a climate-resilient, purpose-built Meteorological Office capable of withstanding the full range of hazards we face.
Investing in early warning services like the ABMS yields extraordinary returns. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), World Resources Institute, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation report that every $1 invested in early warning systems can yield returns of $10 to $15 through reduced losses, preserved livelihoods, and enhanced economic stability — far higher than many other adaptation measures. The Global Commission on Adaptation estimates a 1:9 cost-benefit ratio, while the WMO notes that an $800 million investment in developing countries could prevent $3 to $16 billion in annual losses. In fact, hazards can cause 30% less damage when there’s even 24 hours’ advance notice.
So, as we mark this day, let us truly “fund resilience” — by investing not only in people and technology but also in the resilient infrastructure that ensures our nation’s early warning systems can keep saving lives and livelihoods for generations to come.
