TCI News
UNDP Resident Representative & Deputy to strengthen crisis resilience talks with TCI Government on mission, 20 – 22 June
#Providenciales, June 19, 2018 – Turks and Caicos – Bruno Pouezat, the United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative 
assigned to Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica, Bermuda, The Bahamas and Cayman Islands will visit TCI over the period 20 – 22 June to strengthen crisis and disaster resilience support to the TCI and to visit beneficiaries of the ongoing disaster recovery projects supported by UNDP.
Mr Pouezat, will be accompanied by the office’s Deputy Resident Representative, Dr Elsie Laurence Chounoune as well as Programme Analyst – Capacity Development, Ava Whyte Anderson, at the beginning of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season.
The UNDP delegation is scheduled to meet with TCI Premiere, the Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and other officials to provide updates on a number of ongoing, UNDP-supported hurricane recovery projects in TCI, including hurricane recovery grants to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), disaster risk resilience training for the sector and the cash for work programme that ended in February. The delegation will take the opportunity to visit with some grantees at their businesses to hear their stories firsthand and to see how the grants have contributed to their recovery from the last hurricane season.
The UNDP delegation will also discuss the way forward for mobilizing technical and financial resources required to improve TCI’s resilience to natural disasters, especially by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) into development planning.
Mr Pouezat said he was looking forward to fruitful discussions aimed at improving TCI’s resilience to natural hazards and climate change. He said laying this foundation of resilience now would be essential for preventing and reducing the impact of future natural hazards, as well as for localizing and achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular those related to Climate Action and Life on Land.
To this end, the UNDP delegation, in response to a request from the government will also present a Rapid Integrated Assessment of the alignment of TCI’s current planning frameworks with the SDG. This is considered a first step in defining a roadmap for the implement of the SDGs in the TCI.
Only recently, UNDP, in partnership with has partnered with the Centre for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) in TCI disbursed 40 grants valued at a total US$ 40,000 over the period 4-8 May 2018 to MSMEs. Recognizing the role played by small businesses in the TCI economy and the many small families dependent on the quick recovery of these businesses, UNDP found it prudent to put its support behind recovery assistance to MSMEs, Mr Pouezat has emphasized.
The UNDP country office in Kingston serves Jamaica, Bermuda, The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Release: UNDP
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
