Leading Caribbean Scientists, such have agreed that in the Caribbean we can expect certain impacts from Climate change. These include rising sea level; warming sea water temperatures; changing weather patterns; more intense hurricanes; warmer temperatures; and more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events.

One of the ways in which ECLAC seeks to respond to the challenges posed by these events is to increase its support to Governments in the subregion in their activities geared to disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change.

There is little disagreement that Disaster risk reduction is critically important to adapting to the challenges posed by climate change. These efforts are guided by the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015 which calls for "the substantial reduction of disaster losses in lives and in the social, economic and environmental assets of communities and countries".

Using the DALA (Damage and Loss Assessment) methodology, ECLAC provides technical assistance to Governments in the subregion to capture the full extent of damage and losses incurred by communities and countries in the aftermath of a disaster. ECLAC through its assessments creates a point of departure for national dialogue around disaster risk reduction, vulnerability reduction, sustainable development and adaptation to climate change.

In addition to undertaking disaster assessments, upon the requests of governments, ECLAC provides training to national personnel in the use of the methodology.