CARPHA says it is active, responding post Hurricane Beryl

Danae Dennie

Intern

The Caribbean Public Health Agency held a conference on July 26, 2024 to provide updates on their initiatives in safeguarding the region after natural disasters.

It was highlighted that there was a mass displacement of individuals due to Hurricane Beryl with multiple casualties.  It was stressed by Dr. Lisa Indar, Ad Interim Executive Director for CARPHA, that the response post Beryl caused a rapid, multidisciplinary response.

Dr. Horace Cox, Acting Director for Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control Division at CARPHA reiterated that the region is heavily dependent on Tourism, hence, countries have to cater to the needs of not only their  population but those who visit in the region. Therefore if there is any improper handling practices and contamination of food supplies it can jumpstart a serious issue, especially post disaster.

Cox shared that CARPHA is not waiting for something like that to happen in order to respond.

“CARPHA will continue to support member states with capacity building and to help to strengthen gaps in their current system,” said Cox.

In regards to water safety, CARPHA will support member states with water quality monitoring and strive to push the need to access clean and safe water as a priority.

With environmental safety, CARPHA is focused on finding out the issues and working on comprehensive assessments of environmental systems. The agency is striving to emphasize the effectiveness of risk management, solid waste management and how it is tied to the potential reemergence of diseases.

For example the situations in shelters, as they are now being used for permanent housing for those displaced, which can cause a huge sanitary issue. Hence shelter surveillance programmes are being implemented.

These initiatives are being done to meet CARPHA’s vision of a Caribbean with healthy people and healthy spaces in which people are resilient, living longer and enjoy healthier lives in a more supportive environment.