The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called on the international community to speedily transform pledges in disaster relief into "firm funding commitments".

The region's position was outlined Monday during a special United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting on the "Strengthening of the Coordination of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief".

It said that in order for the UN's Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to remain an "effective tool," its funds must be adequately replenished.

"Reports of an upward trend in disasters, with vastly devastating effects, and the probability that this trend will continue as vulnerabilities increase, are disconcerting," said Grenada's UN Ambassador Ruth Rouse, speaking on behalf of the 15-member CARICOM grouping.

"Even more worrisome, in this context to the CARICOM member states, is the reported growing frequency and severity of hydro-meteorological hazards."

"CARICOM has particular interest in the improvement of facilities for rapid access to funds in the initial phases of a humanitarian emergency, and for ensuring equitable response to neglected emergencies, or otherwise chronically under-funded emergencies," she said.

In addressing the complexities of disasters and ending the cycles of vulnerabilities, the Grenadian diplomat said an "integrated approach" to disaster management had become necessary.

This, she said, requires urgent disaster planning and preparedness, sustained assistance for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, and the prioritization of risk reduction.

"As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with particular vulnerabilities to hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, our development itself is dependent upon the frequency and magnitude of such weather events."

"Yet international response to disasters that struck Grenada, Guyana, Haiti and Jamaica, to name a few, in the more recent past, had been inadequate," she added.

Ms. Rouse said CARICOM welcomed the launch of CERF earlier this year as a means to ensuring a "more predictable and timely response" to humanitarian emergencies.

Ms. Rouse said CARICOM endorses the Advisory Group's recommendation that UN-member states make every effort to achieve, as soon as possible, the US$500 million target established by the General Assembly, and welcomes the advocacy role the group intends to undertake for the early attainment of that target.

In addition, she said CARICOM calls for "the highest level of participation as possible," at the December 7, donor conference for CERF.

"CARICOM is well aware that the future success of the fund is dependent on the will and support of member states in increasing their contributions, in order to meet the three-year target of $500 million endorsed by the General Assembly," she said.