Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

December 5, 2023 – Irregular rates of migration across the Latin America and Caribbean region continue and with it there is a growing rate of sexual violence.

This is according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)  in its Weekly Situation Update for November 20th, 2023 and it informs that Organizations indicate growing reports of sexual violence which is affecting women and children who take on what has been time and time again, described as a “treacherous journey across the Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama.

The migrants, the report says, include nearly 460,000 people with almost 100,000 children.

Regarding the sexual violence affecting these migrants, the report refers to humanitarian medical care charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) which says it has treated 397 survivors of sexual violence which includes many children, that is after they successfully reach Panama.

In October 2023, MSF saw a decrease in the number of migrants crossing the Darien gap, 49,256 people compared to September which saw 75,268.

However, despite the drop in number, there was an increase in the number of survivors of sexual assault looking for assistance, the weekly update says.

In October, MSF helped 107 people. In one week, 59 people reach out for help from the charity which is equivalent to one event of sexual violence every three hours, the report pointed out. Speaking to child victims of sexual assault, it said three of the rape survivors were children aged 11, 12 and 16.

To help put a stop to this immoral behavior, the OCHA states that humanitarian organizations, the MSF included, UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group and Plan International and others, are calling on relevant governments to make it a priority to protect migrants and their human rights, as well as strengthen humanitarian capacities and improve comprehensive response strategies such as increasing legal and safe channels for migration and looking into the cause of movements, with the intention to remove them or help reduce their impact of the people’s decision regarding migration.

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#Barbados, December 5, 2023 – Global pop star and business owner Rihanna called on Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary and Ajay Banga, World Bank Chief, to join the fight against climate change for communities most affected.

The Barbadian singer and businesswoman took to her twitter in June this year to confront the need for action from Yellen and Banga.

She said, “Hey @SecYellen & #Ajay Banga, will you join @miaamormottley and step up for communities hit hardest by climate emergencies? We need you to make bold commitments to finance & debt reforms.”

She continued to point out her efforts to help address the climate crisis with her Clara Lionel Foundation

“I address climate with @ClaraLionelFdn, now it’s your turn.”

The singer also put in here appeal, the link to ‘action platform’ organisation Global Citizen, which is campaigning for global financial reform to address the interconnected crises of climate change, hunger and inequity.

Mia Amor Mottley, the prime minister of Barbados, Rihanna’s home country, thanked Rihanna for her tweet, reports say, expressing that the Bridgetown Initiative is the “opportunity” that world leaders need to take.

Rihanna’s foundation, named after her grandparents, prioritizes climate resilience and climate Justice work and has donated millions in grants since being founded in 2012.

In fact, in 2019, after launching its Climate Resilience Initiative (CRI), to enhance emergency preparedness, it donated $1million in grants to The Bahamas, providing emergency food and medicine following Hurricane Dorian.

Also, last year, her foundation donated €13 million (USD$15 million) to the climate movement.

She said the donation to 18 climate justice organisations would contribute to seven Caribbean nations and the US, including the Climate Justice Alliance, the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Movement for Black Lives.

The grants, reports say, made in partnership with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s StartSmall philanthropic initiative, target groups with female, LGBT, Black and Indigenous leaders given that because their communities are most at risk.

#Kingston, December 5, 2023 – Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, is commending the National Irrigation Commission (NIC) Limited for its invaluable contribution to agricultural productivity and food security in Jamaica.

Mr. Witter, who was addressing the agency’s 36^th anniversary luncheon and long service awards ceremony on November 28 at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston, said this significant milestone not only marks a journey of dedication and resilience, but also stands as a testament of the critical role of irrigation in the advancement of the agricultural sector.

He said that consistent and reliable irrigation service is critical to safe and abundant food supply.

“NIC is the standard bearer of the Ministry. It is heartening to see that the NIC operations are aligned seamlessly with the Ministry’s New FACE of Food initiative, which focuses on food security, agri-business, climate smart initiatives, and export expansion,” he noted.

Mr. Witter pledged the Ministry’s continued support and investment in the agency in the ongoing quest to safeguard the country’s food security.

“We must harness the power of modern technology …the NIC must be at the forefront of innovation and research. We need to invest in cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that optimize our irrigation systems and optimize our agricultural production,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of the NIC, Joseph Gyles, in his remarks at the ceremony, said the NIC will be expanding its irrigation districts, increasing these from 16 to 19.

He noted that presently, the Commission produces over 60-million-cubic metres of water on an annual basis.

“As we navigate the future, we embrace automation and digitization and have accepted that if we are to survive in this global world sustainability must remain at the core of our operational ethos,” he said.

The NIC is mandated to manage, operate, maintain and expand existing irrigation schemes and systems established by the Government of Jamaica or by any department or agency, as well as to fix and collect the rates or charges for the use of such water systems.

The NIC maintains an island-wide presence through six district offices located in key irrigation areas.

Contact: Rochelle Williams

Release: JIS