A leading Antiguan climatologist has warned that cuts to US climate aid are jeopardising disaster preparedness in the Caribbean.

Dale Destin, Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Office, said reduced funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has disrupted key projects, including flood warning systems and tsunami preparedness.

Speaking at a press conference, Destin said many initiatives aimed at climate resilience have stalled following budget reductions linked to the Trump administration’s rollback of environmental commitments, including its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

“The loss of support is affecting early warning systems and regional forecasting,” he said, noting that failing upper-air stations and reduced hurricane monitoring capacity were already evident.

The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) has also been impacted, with training for disaster officials curtailed. Authorities now face pressure to find alternative funding sources, potentially stretching national budgets.

Destin said a recent meeting with US officials offered hope for short-term support, but long-term prospects remain uncertain.

“Without sustained investment,” he warned, “our ability to protect lives and property is at risk.”