CDEMA and the UN convene Caribbean Partner Donor Group Meeting amid COVID-19 crisis

Bridgetown, Barbados, April 3rd, 2020 (CDEMA) - As
the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold in the region, the Caribbean
Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the United Nations
Resident Coordinators’ Offices in the Caribbean convened the 2nd meeting
of the Caribbean Partner Donor Group on Thursday April 2, 2020. The
virtual meeting had representatives from 18 regional and international
agencies including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the
technical lead for health in the region.

As at April 3, 2020, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across
CDEMA’s 19 participating states stand at 373 with 11 deaths. According
to CARPHA, the number of samples from countries within the region have
increased and as a result the agency is investigating measures to
navigate the curve of the ‘first wave’. In presenting to the meeting,
CARPHA also indicated that they have completed a series of bio-safety
and bio-security training sessions for hospital laboratories and
continues to provide support to the health sectors in member states in a
range of areas including testing samples.

The University of the West Indies, through the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre is undertaking modelling to support assessment and analysis of the COVID-19 event. Psychosocial Support is also being explored by both CARPHA and UWI teams to provide virtual support, not only to the victims, their families, and the general public, but to the front-line workers as well.

Through the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM), CDEMA continues to
lead the multi-sectoral coordination in support of the technical lead
for health by working closely with the CARICOM Secretariat, CARPHA and
PAHO towards strengthening of the health sector level coordination and
readiness. CDEMA is facilitating the compilation of the Regional
Protocol for Management of COVID19, which is being developed to support
CARICOM States in their response to COVID-19.

The draft document is scheduled to be considered by the Heads of CARICOM Institutions during the week of April 6, 2020.

The UN System through its various entities have developed a
preparedness and response plan for COVID-19, which includes health
response, operational support, logistic, plans for response to the
anticipated socio-economic impact. The UN System also launched a
humanitarian appeal and have reallocated existing funds to support COVID
19 operations.

Through the Regional Coordination Centre’s logistics and procurement
cell, support is being provided to the logistics arrangements and the
supply chain in the region with support from the World Food Programme
(WFP), UNOPS, PAHO, UNICEF and CARPHA. The CDEMA CU has also requested
each affected participating state to compile their priority needs list
to inform the mobilisation of resources and procurement of items
identified. CDEMA is exploring options to provide such assistance to
participating states with the donor community to fast track the
provision of needs.

The National Disaster Offices are either on high alert or have
activated their National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOCS) where there
are confirmed cases. Support is also being provided through the weekly
meetings of the National Disaster Coordinators for enhanced coordination
and information sharing across the region. In this regard, the Regional
Response Mechanism continues to be on alert should the need arise for
support from any Participating State.

For further information, please contact:
Clive Murray
Communication and Education Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA)
Resilience Way, Lower Estate
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel #: (246) 434-4880
Fax #: (246) 271-3660
Email: clive.murray@cdema.org