In 1989, as the PCDPPP was beginning to crumble, Hurricane Hugo hit the Caribbean. Relief was still dependent on foreign aid from countries like the United States. By 1990, insurance companies were criticizing the PCDPPP and pointing out the need to modernize the system by which the Caribbean responded to natural disasters. The construction industry in particular was criticized for not enforcing sufficient standards in the ability of structures to withstand common disasters in the Caribbean. In 1991, the PCDPPP ceased to exist and for about a month the region's insurance agencies desperately searched for a replacement. In terms of aid and disaster management, the Caribbean region was in limbo waiting for a strong force to assist them in times of crisis. There was little sign of funding for the formation of such an organization and it seemed doubtful that the June 1, 1991 deadline for the implementation of a new disaster relief organization would be met.[6]​ Funding was and still is a big part of this region and, in terms of disaster relief, it meant everything. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was finally able to take the lead and establish CDERA in September 1991.[7]​.

It is stated that the growth of CDERA was very slow during the 1990s.[8] Things began to improve after the century with CDERA. In 2003, studies showed how their own early warning systems developed directly from the Caribbean Metrological Organization) based in Trinidad and Tobago were reducing the loss of life in disasters. There was still controversy over whether people had confidence in this system and they needed to study how the public interacted with these systems to improve.[9]​.

In 2005, CDERA planned to better coordinate with the tourism industry and bring them up to speed in preparing a response strategy and a clear plan to prepare for natural or man-made disasters. CDERA was also formulating plans to better train its employees and improve information dissemination. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) stated that the system CDERA was using needed to be more unified so as not to produce a “tower of Babel” effect.[10] Also later that year, CDERA coordinator Jeremy Collymore began pressuring individual Caribbean Union countries to increase their preparedness plan, encouraging them to be more self-sustaining in the event of an emergency. While encouraging strengthening from within, Japan's assistance was used to help develop its community early warning systems and hazard management capacity.[11] With the 2004 tsunamis in Thailand and Somalia, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was requested for assistance in developing tsunami warning systems in the Caribbean. Although CDERA was looking for countries with experience in tsunamis, much was studied on the subject in the Caribbean in places such as the University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Virgin Islands").[12]​.

In 2006, the European Commission granted 3.4 million in financial aid to assist in disaster preparedness. CDERA was in charge of using this money where it considered appropriate. Funding for CDERA projects continues to largely come from external sources.[13]​ Even today, approximately 90% of funding for CDERA projects comes from international donors.[14]​ In addition to funding being heavily dependent on foreign sources, CDERA staff have had serious problems. It has been said that some staff lack experience in disaster management and those in charge are low in the bureaucracy's chain of command.[15]​.

In 2010, CDERA was renamed the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).[16] CDEMA is still constantly trying to increase its effectiveness in disaster management while keeping it sustainable within its own region. Recently, they have focused on creating a better connection with policy makers and technical officials to obtain better results.[17]​ CDEMA has evolved greatly since its creation in 1991 and has taken on a much more independent disaster relief role for the Caribbean. It provides a local response effort and management system to manage the increase in natural disasters in recent decades. CDEMA still relies heavily on foreign aid for its financial support. The Agency continues to grow into a strong local agency to manage and respond to disasters in the Caribbean region. However, these agencies may not be effective in responding in Caribbean countries during a threat posed by a natural disaster.

In 1989, as the PCDPPP was beginning to crumble, Hurricane Hugo hit the Caribbean. Relief was still dependent on foreign aid from countries like the United States. By 1990, insurance companies were criticizing the PCDPPP and pointing out the need to modernize the system by which the Caribbean responded to natural disasters. The construction industry in particular was criticized for not enforcing sufficient standards in the ability of structures to withstand common disasters in the Caribbean. In 1991, the PCDPPP ceased to exist and for about a month the region's insurance agencies desperately searched for a replacement. In terms of aid and disaster management, the Caribbean region was in limbo waiting for a strong force to assist them in times of crisis. There was little sign of funding for the formation of such an organization and it seemed doubtful that the June 1, 1991 deadline for the implementation of a new disaster relief organization would be met.[6]​ Funding was and still is a big part of this region and, in terms of disaster relief, it meant everything. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was finally able to take the lead and establish CDERA in September 1991.[7]​.

It is stated that the growth of CDERA was very slow during the 1990s.[8] Things began to improve after the century with CDERA. In 2003, studies showed how their own early warning systems developed directly from the Caribbean Metrological Organization) based in Trinidad and Tobago were reducing the loss of life in disasters. There was still controversy over whether people had confidence in this system and they needed to study how the public interacted with these systems to improve.[9]​.

In 2005, CDERA planned to better coordinate with the tourism industry and bring them up to speed in preparing a response strategy and a clear plan to prepare for natural or man-made disasters. CDERA was also formulating plans to better train its employees and improve information dissemination. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) stated that the system CDERA was using needed to be more unified so as not to produce a “tower of Babel” effect.[10] Also later that year, CDERA coordinator Jeremy Collymore began pressuring individual Caribbean Union countries to increase their preparedness plan, encouraging them to be more self-sustaining in the event of an emergency. While encouraging strengthening from within, Japan's assistance was used to help develop its community early warning systems and hazard management capacity.[11] With the 2004 tsunamis in Thailand and Somalia, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center was requested for assistance in developing tsunami warning systems in the Caribbean. Although CDERA was looking for countries with experience in tsunamis, much was studied on the subject in the Caribbean in places such as the University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Virgin Islands").[12]​.

In 2006, the European Commission granted 3.4 million in financial aid to assist in disaster preparedness. CDERA was in charge of using this money where it considered appropriate. Funding for CDERA projects continues to largely come from external sources.[13]​ Even today, approximately 90% of funding for CDERA projects comes from international donors.[14]​ In addition to funding being heavily dependent on foreign sources, CDERA staff have had serious problems. It has been said that some staff lack experience in disaster management and those in charge are low in the bureaucracy's chain of command.[15]​.

In 2010, CDERA was renamed the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).[16] CDEMA is still constantly trying to increase its effectiveness in disaster management while keeping it sustainable within its own region. Recently, they have focused on creating a better connection with policy makers and technical officials to obtain better results.[17]​ CDEMA has evolved greatly since its creation in 1991 and has taken on a much more independent disaster relief role for the Caribbean. It provides a local response effort and management system to manage the increase in natural disasters in recent decades. CDEMA still relies heavily on foreign aid for its financial support. The Agency continues to grow into a strong local agency to manage and respond to disasters in the Caribbean region. However, these agencies may not be effective in responding in Caribbean countries during a threat posed by a natural disaster.