Since 1498 there have been at least 94 tsunamis with runups reported in the Caribbean region causing 4652 deaths.  Most of these tsunamis were associated with submarine earthquakes, although the Caribbean Sea region has all of the potential tsunami-generating sources: submarine earthquakes, sub aerial or submarine landslides, and underwater explosions. In addition to the 40 million people living in the region, 22 million people visit the Caribbean, making the region extremely vulnerable to tsunamis. 

In consideration of great risk from tsunamis in the Caribbean and the lessons learned from these events in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world, under the leadership of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCCO, the Intergovernmental Co-ordination Group for the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean Sea and Adjacent Regions (ICG CARIBE EWS) was established in 2005. 

The Caribbean system, unlike for other regions, has a multi hazard approach and focuses on all coastal hazards. The ICG CARIBE EWS met for the first time in Barbados in 2006 and its second meeting was held in March 2007 in Cumaná, Venezuela. 

Up to November 2007, 21 of the countries in the region have designated Tsunami Warning Focal Points and Tsunami National Contacts, as part of the end to end warning system.  Four Working Groups are developing strategies for the different components of the system.  The WG last met in December, 2007 in Colombia, while the last ICG meeting was hosted by Panamá in March 12 to 14, 2008.