The Caribbean has one of the largest regional concentrations of Red Cross entities, consisting of 16 Red Cross National Societies which include: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago - and 16 overseas British, French, Netherlands and US Red Cross branches and committees.

The countries of the Caribbean region are characterised by great variety in area, population and wealth, as well as rich cultural diversity and a broad spectrum of economic models. Many of the region's nations are small island states with limited resources and a particular vulnerability to natural disasters and sudden changes in the economic climate. Additionally, like other regions of the globe, the Caribbean has felt the impact of significant geopolitical, economic, social, and climatic changes over recent years.

In particular, the financial events of 2008 have increased this vulnerability and the effects are being felt currently. Apart from the regularly recurring disasters of the hurricane season, the region is also subject to unpredictable catastrophes such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Caribbean Country Profiles - General and National Society