When the Storm Reaches the Clinic: Sexual and Reproductive Health, Climate Justice and Institutional Readiness in the Caribbean

This regional desk review examines the intersection of sexual and reproductive health and rights, climate justice and institutional readiness across Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Aruba, Cuba and Saint Lucia.

The review analyzes how hurricanes, flooding, extreme heat, drought, water insecurity, displacement and infrastructure failure affect access to contraception, maternal and newborn healthcare, HIV and sexually transmitted infection services, menstrual health support, gender-based violence response, comprehensive sexuality education and other essential sexual and reproductive health services.

Using climate justice, reproductive justice and intersectional analytical frameworks, the report traces the connections between climate hazards, health-system disruption, unequal exposure, service-access barriers and institutional accountability. It examines regional and national climate policies, disaster-risk-management frameworks, health-sector plans, emergency-service standards and available academic and institutional evidence.

The findings demonstrate that Caribbean climate and disaster policies increasingly recognize health, gender and vulnerable populations, but sexual and reproductive health and rights are rarely translated into specific continuity measures, financing commitments, implementation responsibilities or accountability indicators. The review also identifies substantial gaps in disaggregated data, community participation, emergency commodity planning, referral continuity and inclusive shelter and evacuation systems.

The report presents a Climate–SRHR Institutional Readiness Framework covering governance, emergency planning, infrastructure, supply chains, workforce preparedness, partnerships, communication, inclusion, data and sustainable financing. It concludes with evidence-based recommendations for governments, civil-society organizations, health systems, regional institutions and funders seeking to protect bodily autonomy, health, dignity and safety before, during and after climate-related emergencies.