The Perry Center conducted a 2-day Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) seminar in Bridgetown, Barbados from July 10-11, 2018. Nearly 75 representatives from 30 countries and organizations attended to review responses to the 2017 hurricane season. A number of Caribbean nations were struck by an unusually active hurricane season last summer. Three major hurricanes within less than two weeks caused major damage to places like Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.

The Perry Center co-hosted the event with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in Barbados. This was the second of three HADR seminars sponsored by the US Southern Command in 2018. The seminar was successful as a networking opportunity and to examine gaps and efficiencies in HADR actions. Observations and recommendations will be captured in a formal AAR and distributed to all participants for action.