Linkages between weather extremes like heavy rainfall, including tropical storms, cyclones, flooding, drought, and climate variability, which are characteristic of weather patterns in the Caribbean, continue to be significant drivers of food insecurity, according to the most recent forecast issued by the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRICS).
The May 2023 IRICS forecast projects an 82 percent likelihood of El Niño conditions, beginning in the May to July period and called for urgent, expanded assistance to affected regions in order to protect livelihoods and increase access to food. The warning is unlikely to escape the attention of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries which, late last year, were tagged, among other regions of the world that are experiencing various levels of food security pressure.