Eastern Caribbean launches regional project to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response – PAHO/WHO
With the support of the Pandemic Fund and in collaboration with PAHO/WHO, FAO and the World Bank, six countries join to build more resistant health systems
Washington, DC, June 13, 2025 (PAHO/WHO): A historical initiative to promote the preparation and response of the pandemic in the Eastern Caribbean was officially launched this week in Castro, Santa Lucía, which caused a renewed approach to build resistant and integrated health systems that can detect and respond better to future health health threats.
The project, entitled «Strengthening of prevention, preparation and response to emerging threats for health in the Eastern Caribbean», is funded by the Pandemic Fund and will benefit Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Granada, Santa Lucía, St. Kitts and Nevis, and San Vicente and Grenadines. It is implemented through an association between the Pan American Health Organization/Organization of Health (PAHO/WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.
By adopting a unique health approach, which recognizes the interconnection of human, animal and environmental health, the project focuses on preventing outbreaks before starting, detecting them early and responding quickly and efficiently when they occur.
The key focus areas include:
- Perform intersectoral evaluations to identify established gaps and priorities;
- Strengthen multisectoral surveillance and early response systems;
- Improve laboratory diagnostic capacity for timely detection; and
- Building and retaining health and veterinary staff.
«This launch marks an important milestone for the Eastern Caribbean region,» said Dr. Amalia del Riego, representative of PAHO/WHO for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. «By adopting a unique health approach and reinforcing our systems, we are building a future where countries can detect, respond and prevent emerging threats more effectively, protecting lives and livelihoods.»
The Pandemic fund was established in 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund supports low and medium -income countries to strengthen critical systems for the prevention of pandemic, preparation and response, with emphasis on surveillance, laboratory systems and the capacity of the health workforce.
Priya Basu, Executive Chief of the Pandemic Fund, highlighted the importance of the initiative and the unique role of the fund in support: “The Regional Health Safety Project of the Eastern Caribbean is a vital step to safeguard lives and livelihoods throughout the region. Through this initiative, we are strengthening the surveillance of the disease, laboratory networks, and the work of public health, the health countries, the countries of the health, the countries of public health, the countries of public health, The base countries of the base, and the majority of the base countries, the base of the base, the bases of the base, the base of the base, the countries of the base, the bases, and the countries of the base of the base, and the countries of the health base.
He added: «What distinguishes the Pandemic fund is its ability to work in all sectors and with a wide range of partners. The catalytic power of the fund is demonstrated through a subsidy of US $ 24.4 million that is helping to mobilize additional US $ 30 million in coinversion and co -financing.»
In the ceremonial launch event, held at the Harbor Club in Castries, a symbolic presentation of the project plate was held, indicating the beginning of the implementation. The event gathered a wide cross section of partners: from the health and agriculture authorities, regional institutions such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (Carpha) and the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OEC), to representatives of the Pandemic Fund, Diplomatic Corps and Implementation Agencies.
Dr. Renata Clarke, subregional coordinator of FAO for the Caribbean, declared: «A single health approach allows us to act early and act more effectively by recognizing the interconnection of human, animal and environmental health. The construction of true resilience requires strengthening animal health systems, improving multisectoral surveillance, protecting ecosystems and coordinating responses through human health planning. veterinarians, environmental monitoring and intersectoral coordination.
She added: «In FAO, we are proud to lead the efforts related to animal health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and intersectoral coordination. We are equally proud to collaborate with the PAHO and the World Bank, which contribute a valuable experience in public health and development. However, this project is bound by the country, guided by its leadership, aligned by its leadership priorities, and he was shaped by the vision. «
«An important element of this project is the collaboration between regional and international partners to strengthen health security in the Caribbean of the East,» said Lilia Burunciuc, director of the World Bank division for the Caribbean. «Working together with governments, the World Bank strives to help countries provide quality and affordable health services to the East Caribbean people.»
With the active participation of the health and agriculture sectors, this initiative reflects a model of collaborative governance and multisectoral action. Its objective is to ensure that Eastern Caribbean countries are better equipped, technical, operationally and institutionally, to avoid future outbreaks and respond decisively when they occur.
