Disaster Risk Management during Climate Emergencies in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico

<p>This paper analyzes the DRM approach as an effective framework in addressing climate emergencies across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. These two Caribbean regions, with high hurricane exposure and differing response structures, are deeply shaped by their governments and affiliated international organizations. Disaster Risk Management is the systematic process of using laws, plans, institutions, and community networks to reduce vulnerability to hazards and coordinate effective response when disasters occur. It covers the full cycle, from prevention to reconstruction and rebuilding more resiliently. The Dominican Republic’s law-based intervention led to greater local-level community participation during disasters with its embedded volunteer network and local advisory bodies. Puerto Rico’s highly standardized architecture struggled with communications and training during Maria, but its after-action review produced clear procedural reforms. The paper concludes with recommendations for building a Caribbean DRM framework of shared protocols, risk-informed planning, and regional coordination that aligns with the Sendai Framework.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

International Relations

Year dc:date.available

2026

Author dc:creator

• Ubinas, Rosleny

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jafar Javan

• DRM
• disaster risk management
• emergency response
• Dominican Republic
• Puerto Rico
• hurricanes
• legal frameworks
• Sendai
• Disaster Law
• Environmental Law
• Models and Methods

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/1317

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:cc_etds_theses-2421