Caribbean News
Millions of Haitian People going hungry says WFP
Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#Haiti, January 19, 2024 – Over 8 million Haitians are facing severe food insecurity according to the World Food Program in a January 2nd report. The last quarter of 2023 was the worst since the WFP began monitoring the country in 2021, with 72.4 percent of people going hungry in October alone.
The situation has improved since then but only barely. November readings found that the percentage of residents estimated to have insufficient food consumption had dropped to 70.8 percent or 8.2 million. The number, which encompasses the vast majority of Haitians, is described as alarmingly high by WFP.
It’s not a matter of the food being totally unavailable, but border issues and the economy are putting the squeeze on
vulnerable residents.
“While most basic food commodities are globally available throughout the country, the closure of the border with the Dominican Republic has had some tangible impacts on specific commodities, specifically in border departments such as the North-East,” the report explained.
WFP is estimating that within two months the economic situation will become untenable for 30 to 35 percent of residents, rendering them unable to afford basic necessities.
In addition to that, the El Niño-fueled dry season that has grounded the Panama Canal and affected crop yields across the Caribbean and South America is being felt in Haiti.
“Conditions have worsened from August to October, with severely dry conditions in the southern peninsula. In November, a tropical depression brought abnormally important amounts of rainfall, but given the timing (very late in the season) and the intensity (some croplands in the southern peninsula were damaged),” WFP said.
The resulting agricultural situation is bleak according to the organization. Countries surrounding Haiti are experiencing effects of the humanitarian crises with increased level of irregular migration.
In addition, the multinational force that was approved by the United Nations for Haiti, in late 2023 has stalled as the leading country Kenya has been affected by an internal legal issue blocking their police force from being deployed overseas.
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The FCCA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has launched an annual scholarship in honor of former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who played a significant role in advancing the cruise trade association’s vision.
The annual gift of US$25,000 will be awarded to a different Caribbean destination each year to support the work of either an educational institution or a nonprofit organization chosen by the destination.
Barbados will receive the inaugural Owen Arthur scholarship, and next year’s scholarship destination winner will be announced at the ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner’ during Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.
“I am honored that the Foundation can continue the legacy of The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who truly inspired my career and empowered so many throughout the Caribbean, as well as making it possible to have the current partnership between the cruise industry and the Caribbean,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Hopefully this scholarship can live up to his memory by providing a platform for future generations in the region.”
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The historic UN Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island States (SIDS) brought global attention to the significant challenges faced by small islands, underscoring that their concerns were big issues for all.
On April 26, several key figures who contributed to the 1994 Barbados meeting gathered in Bridgetown to commemorate its 30th
anniversary. The outcome of the 1994 meeting was the Barbados Program of Action, which delineated how the world community should address the unique vulnerabilities of islands, particularly in response to climate change.
Despite initial reluctance from powerful UN members to hold more than one SIDS conference, subsequent gatherings in Mauritius and Samoa and a fourth global conference scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024 are a testament to some of the successes of the SIDS process.
In Antigua and Barbuda, the international community will convene to review the sustainable development progress of SIDS and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to accelerate their journey toward resilient prosperity.
The Barbados meeting last month provided a reflective journey for many, as attendees, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, paid tribute to the late Ambassador Miles Stoby of Guyana, the visionary behind the initiative and for whom Barbados was, fittingly, a second
Caption: Ambassador Lyutha al Mughairy (widow of Ambassador Miles Stoby) greets Garth Sandiford, son of late Barbados Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford. Looking on are Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former UN Under-Secretary General Peter Hansen.
By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
May 9, 2024 – The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), held April 22-24 at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort was a resounding success.
The conference is the Caribbean’s foremost event for high-level networking and dialogue on sustainable tourism, providing a crucial platform for tourism policymakers, private sector stakeholders, thought leaders, and strategic partners to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.
The meeting highlighted the essential pillars necessary for creating a transformative and regenerative legacy under the theme “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership”.
Thought-provoking addresses from Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, set the stage for discussions about the future of Caribbean tourism.
PM Mitchell stressed the need to include a broader array of stakeholders in the tourism conversation, while Stewart highlighted the importance of partnerships and unity within the sector. The conference was marked by authentic displays of Grenadian culture and dynamic panel sessions.
Caption: Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts International delivered the keynote address.
The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter
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