|
|
|
Last Updated: Apr 4, 2020 - 9:01:54 AM |
CDEMA and the UN convene Caribbean Partner Donor Group Meeting amid COVID-19 crisis
By Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)
Apr 3, 2020 - 5:40:21 PM
|
Email this article
Mobile friendly page
|
Bridgetown, Barbados, (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
367 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.
© Copyright 2020 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|