WFP Becomes First UN Agency to Join Caribbean Disaster Insurance Pool, Covering Haiti

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has become the first UN agency and multilateral organization to join CCRIF SPC and purchase parametric insurance, according to a statement from CCRIF SPC issued from the Cayman Islands. WFP acquired two tropical cyclone policies covering Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with a combined coverage limit of US$11.6 million, the statement said. The agency added that the move allows rapid, rules-based liquidity to reach vulnerable populations within days of a triggering storm, rather than weeks. Haiti has been a CCRIF member since 2007 and has received over US$80 million in payouts, most recently for Hurricane Melissa in 2025, according to CCRIF. Lauren Landis, WFP Country Director for Haiti, said that with more than half of all Haitians already facing acute or higher food insecurity, extreme weather can push vulnerable families further into crisis, and the insurance provides a predictable, rapidly activated financial tool. CCRIF CEO Isaac Anthony called the membership a milestone for the Caribbean region. WFP's entry brings CCRIF membership to 40. For the 2026/27 policy year, CCRIF's total coverage rose 25% to US$1.8 billion. Since 2007, CCRIF reports 82 payouts totalling US$483 million, all delivered within 14 days of a triggering event, benefitting more than 5 million people.