Kingston, Jamaica, December 3, 2024 – The Women’s Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) is strengthening its partnership with key stakeholders to prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and support young women and girls in vulnerable communities.

Under an agreement, which was signed on Tuesday (November 19) during a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Network (GBVPN) event at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in Kingston, the stakeholders, which include public and private sector entities, will collaborate to carry out activities geared towards responding to and preventing gender-based violence in vulnerable communities.

One key aspect of the arrangement is the provision of assistance through the WROC’s GBVPN facility.

Community members will be able to engage with civil society organisations, as well as public and private institutions, to discuss the gender-based violence issues they face. They will also receive support in seeking remedies for their situations.

Executive Director of the WROC, Keisha Williams, explained that the GBVPN, which was launched in 2021, aims to create a people-centred approach and provide real-time support and advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence.

She said through the network, the WROC has secured partnerships with over 15 organisations and implemented case management and referral systems for survivors.

“We have provided trauma informed care counselling for many of our community members and implemented a robust case management system for survivors,” she added.

The Executive Director also lauded the partnership with the Inter-American Foundation (IAF), including a grant from the organisation, which “has helped WROC enhance its impact on communities by expanding advocacy efforts in the fight against GBV.”

She noted that the grant focused on three key components – institutional strengthening, creation of a gender-based violence prevention network and small business development.

Founded in 1983, the WROC works to improve collaboration among institutions that work to prevent gender and family violence, strengthen communities’ ability to reduce violence, and support survivors.

The organisation provides outreach programmes, with a focus on health and wellness, sustainable livelihoods, community capacity-building and advocacy.

Among its key stakeholders are: the Bureau of Gender Affairs (BGA), Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA),Women’s Empowerment Benevolent Society (WEBS), Social Development Commission (SDC), Fight for Peace, Trench Town Community Development Committee, Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), Calvary Temple Church, Bethel New Testament Church, Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) and the Rose Town Foundation.

CONTACT: E. HARTMAN RECKORD

RELEASE: JIS

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) concluded its Train-the-Trainer Workshop on the Safe Transportation of Infectious Substances today. The workshop, conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), was supported by the Pandemic Fund grant, with CARPHA serving as the Executing Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity.

Fourteen (14) CARPHA Member States (CMS) participated in this initiative, which aimed to strengthen regional capacity to meet international safety standards for shipping infectious substances. The training provided participants with essential theoretical knowledge, interactive discussions, and practical exercises to achieve IATA certification as trainers. These certified trainers will now be well-positioned to serve as national trainers and advisors in biosafety and safe transport protocols, ensuring safer practices across the region.

Dr. Lisa Indar, Ad. Interim Executive Director of CARPHA, highlighted the significance of the initiative: “As a region, we must ensure that the transportation of infectious substances meets international safety standards to protect our public health systems and communities. This workshop builds on CARPHA’s commitment to developing a robust network of certified trainers who can implement and sustain best practices in their home countries. We are grateful for the training supported by the Pandemic Fund project, enabling us to take key steps in pandemic preparedness and response.”

The program not only addressed gaps in Certified Infectious Substance Transport Training within CMS, but also established mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the trainers’ impact in their respective countries. Participants are expected to conduct infectious substances transport training within the first quarter of 2025, ensuring the rapid application of their certification.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Horace Cox, Acting Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA, remarked: “The effectiveness of our public health response hinges on having a cadre of professionals who can translate this critical knowledge into action at the country level. This program empowers Member States to strengthen their capacity to handle infectious substances safely and securely, which is a cornerstone in bolstering regional health systems and pandemic preparedness and response.”

To ensure the sustainability of the training program, CARPHA is also establishing mechanisms for ongoing feedback and continuous improvement, ensuring that the program remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of the Member States and trainees. These efforts promise to enable better tracking of training activities and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the training program. This initiative is part of CARPHA’s broader mission to enhance laboratory capabilities, improve surveillance systems, and ensure public health security across the Caribbean. By creating a robust network of self-sufficient trainers in its Member States, CARPHA aims to strengthen the capacity for safely shipping infectious substances and enhance regional public health resilience.

About the Pandemic Fund Project:

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the sole regional public health agency, is the Executing Agency for the Pandemic Fund (PF) Project: RG-T4387, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity. The goal of this Project, which spans from 2024 to 2026, is to Reduce the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPR). The objective is to support the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic PPR surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and at country levels. This will reduce the transboundary spread of infectious diseases and improve regional and global health security. CARPHA is the beneficiary of the PF project and CARPHA Member States are the participants.

The PF was approved at the highest level by the Council for Human and Social Development, as well as by CARPHA’s Executive Board and other stakeholders, including Chief Medical Officers. This is a regional 3-year project (2024-2026). The public signing of Technical Cooperation Agreement to implement the project was on December 14, 2023.

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

Cayman Islands, December 3, 2024 – Local health and mosquito-control officials have confirmed the Cayman Islands’ first imported case of Oropouche virus disease.

This discovery has sparked calls for the public to strengthen their defences against vector-borne diseases. The Oropouche virus, which spreads to humans through bites from Culicoides paraensis midges (a type of small fly) and Culex mosquitoes, has previously been reported in South America and some Caribbean countries, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

While there is no evidence of community transmission in the Cayman Islands, authorities have also confirmed multiple imported cases of dengue fever this year. “Vector-borne diseases are a reminder of how connected we are as a region. By staying alert and taking simple precautions, we can protect ourselves and our community from the risks these diseases pose,” he stated.

The announcement comes amid a broader regional uptick in Oropouche virus cases. This month, Panama reported its first locally transmitted human case, with similar outbreaks documented in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Cuba, Guyana, and the Dominican Republic.

“Outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, including Oropouche and Dengue, underscore the importance of public awareness and action,” said Rachel Corbett, national epidemiologist for the Ministry of Health. “Travelers from affected regions like Cuba and Panama should use personal protective measures and monitor for symptoms such as fever or rash upon their return,” she said.

The Cayman Islands’ Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) assured the public that it remains proactive in its efforts to curb mosquito populations and mitigate the risk of disease spread.

Jonathan Smellie, Molecular Biology Laboratory Manager, highlighted the country’s preparedness, stating, “Our ability to test locally for both the Oropouche and dengue viruses ensures timely diagnosis and a swift public health response.”