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JAMAICA: ODPEM Developing National Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Programme

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#Jamaica, January 15, 2018 – Kingston – The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) has launched its National Disaster Risk Management Volunteer Programme, designed to strengthen community and parish level stakeholder response to catastrophes.   The initiative is rooted in the need identified to establish and provide a collaborative and coordinated approach to disaster management through volunteerism.

Community volunteers, who are being invited to participate, will be trained in various emergency techniques that equip them to act as first responders in the event of disasters.   These include: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, light search and rescue, and shelter management.

Senior Director, Projects Development Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation at ODPEM, Pauline Brown, says the entity received approximately $8.94 million (€60,000) from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to undertake a nine-month project, ahead of the national programme’s development and implementation.   The project entailed designing of the programme’s logo and training of 117 volunteers in basic disaster management, shelter management, and initial damage assessment.

“A national database was (also) created, with technical assistance through the Argentine South-South and Triangular Cooperation which, to date, has 1,165 persons registered to become national volunteers,” the Senior Director states.  She adds that other donor partners will be lobbied for funding support to provide the necessary training for the volunteers.

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The Senior Director was speaking at the launch of Earthquake Awareness Week at ODPEM’s New Kingston head office on January 8.   Mrs. Brown noted that while there are many groups established to deal with disasters in communities islandwide, their activities are not aligned with the mechanisms of the various parishes.  She explained that during the onset or occurrence of a disaster, community volunteers routinely report to the parish operation centre.

“This centre then reports to the national emergency centre which will facilitate any need for deployment across the parishes as well as any support requested. The volunteer groups will operate in a similar manner,” she pointed out.

In this regard, the Senior Director said the national volunteer programme is intended to provide the framework consolidating coordinated responses to all emergencies at the community and parish levels.   Mrs. Brown pointed out that the programme will focus on boosting the capacity of persons volunteering individually and in groups, adding that they will be managed and facilitated by under the parish mechanism in relation to the requisite attendant responses to disasters as well as planning at the national level.

Meanwhile, volunteer and project participant, Honief Myrie from Portland Cottage, Clarendon, said the training he received has bolstered his ability “to assist my community members as a first responder”.

Another volunteer, Paulette Coley, of Old Harbour Bay, St. Catherine, noted that her community is prone to disasters, and as such “I want to be able to assist my community as a first responder; that is what I enjoy doing…that is my passion”.

“In past times, by the time external agents come in (to) assist, persons are (faced with challenges) to their detriment. But because we (volunteers) are there, we are able to (act as) liaisons and we are the first persons who can get out there and help persons to better protect themselves,” she stated.

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Meanwhile, Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, said the persons offering to serve as disaster risk management volunteers are rays of hope for the country.

“The volunteers come from all over Jamaica…from communities which include those officially assessed as being vulnerable to disasters.  I want to thank them for stepping forward to serve,” he said in a message read by Director of Urban and Regional Planning in the Ministry, Marsha Henry-Martin.

Persons desirous of becoming volunteers must be Jamaican or legal residents, 18 years or older, and be able to manage challenging situations.   Individuals should be time and task-oriented; able to communicate well with persons of various ages and socio economic backgrounds; and willing to lend service to national duty without prejudice.   The advantages of becoming a member of the programme include opportunities for: learning or skills development; obtaining professional experience; contributing to national development; and network expansion.

Interested persons should register online at www.odpem.org.jm; contact the ODPEM at (876) 906-9674; or send an email to: volunteer@odpem.org.jm.

 

By: Latonya Linton(JIS)

 

 

 

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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