Strengthening Hydrometeorological Operations and Services in the Caribbean SIDS, Phase II The regional ICI project of the Finnish Meteorological Institute and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) aims at making Caribbean societies better prepared and able to manage risks related to severe weather and hydrometeorological hazards as well as 
increasing societies' resilience on adverse impacts of climate variability and change. Mitigating the impacts of natural disasters is one of ACS's focal areas. In addition to the ACS other key actors in the Caribbean region have contributed to the project 
preparation. The project will be implemented in coordination with other projects in the region.The purpose of the project is to strengthen the role and enhance the capacity of the ACS and of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and Disaste
r Management Agencies in ACS's 16 SIDS Member States to help mitigate the impacts of natural disasters. Sustainable capacity building on systems that strenghten early detection of risks and ex ante prevention can reduce the extent of damage and save lives.
 The project is based on the needs for further capacity building in meteorological services identified as a result of a regional ICI project implemented in 2010-2012. Caribbean SIDS are susceptible to many hydrometeorological hazards. National Meteorologic
al and Hydrological Services are of vital importance in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters considering the diverse services they provide for the society. The likely implications of climate change with the possibility of increase in and intensifica
tion of hurricanes and other severe weather phenomena will increase the vulnerability of the Caribbean societies resulting in higher requirements and urgency on strategic preparedness.The duration of the project is 30 months and it will be implemented in 2
013-2015. The project budget is 1 millon euros.