Trinidad and Tobago — humanitarian situation

Trinidad and Tobago faces intersecting regional pressures as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season progresses, compounded by structural food security vulnerabilities and reduced international presence. The Caribbean entered 2026 confronting a convergence of global supply chain disruptions from the Middle East crisis and a high-probability El Niño event, threatening food security and economic stability across the region (CARICOM, WFP). These shocks amplify longstanding vulnerabilities in countries with high food import dependence and exposure to energy price volatility. Regional preparedness efforts have intensified following lessons from Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and Hurricane Melissa in 2025, with CDEMA and OCHA focusing on strengthening coordination, surge capacity, logistics, and anticipatory action mechanisms ahead of the season that began 1 June (CDEMA, OCHA). The country's operational landscape shifted significantly in 2025 when UNHCR closed its office in Trinidad and Tobago by August as part of a broader regional restructuring driven by funding gaps and changing protection priorities (UNHCR). This reduction in international presence occurred as Venezuelan refugees and migrants continued to be present throughout the region, though R4V reporting indicates spontaneous returns may be occurring, potentially revising figures downward (R4V). The closure affects protection monitoring capacity in a context where the broader Caribbean and Central America face evolving migration frameworks and rising protection risks (UNHCR). WFP continues climate resilience programming in Trinidad, supporting farmers through the Caribbean Multi-Country Office alongside broader regional efforts that include anticipatory cash transfers and digital data systems (WFP). The organization's regional response to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica demonstrates operational capacity, having reached over 143,000 affected people with USD 5 million in cash assistance since November 2025. However, the combination of Middle East-driven supply disruptions, El Niño threats, and hurricane season risks creates compound pressures on food security across Caribbean small island developing states with limited fiscal space to absorb external shocks.