作者： admin

On October 13, Barbados marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with a National Youth Platform, bringing together young people, government leaders, and international partners to focus on resilience financing. The event, themed ‘Fund Resilience, Not Disasters,’ emphasized the critical need to invest in measures that protect communities from climate and disaster risks. Youth leaders highlighted the devastating impacts of disasters on education, livelihoods, and well-being, while showcasing their innovative contributions to resilience-building. Interactive ‘resilience labs’ provided a space for young participants to exchange solutions, from climate-smart technologies to community-driven approaches, demonstrating their role as active agents of change. Captain Robert Harewood, Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management, opened the event by stressing the importance of involving youth in national resilience planning. United Nations Resident Coordinator Simon Springett called for intergenerational dialogue to ensure youth priorities inform policy and financing decisions. Saskia Carusi of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction highlighted the increasing scale of disasters driven by extreme weather and risk-blind investments. The Government of Barbados reaffirmed its commitment to resilience, with Minister Wilfred Abrahams emphasizing that investing in resilience is a necessity for sustainable development. A youth-led panel discussion explored how youth innovation, financing, and partnerships can drive greater investment in resilience. UNICEF Youth Advocate Maria Marshall underscored the importance of viewing young people as agents of change rather than victims. The event concluded with the launch of the World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025 Film Festival and the presentation of youth recommendations to strengthen national and regional resilience strategies.

When hurricanes devastate the Caribbean, the path to recovery extends far beyond rebuilding homes and infrastructure. It hinges on the ability of farmers to replace lost livestock, fishers to access damaged docks, market vendors to preserve perishable goods, and tourism workers to endure prolonged hotel closures. These individuals are the backbone of local economies, ensuring food security and the flow of goods. Yet, they are often the last to receive aid when disasters strike. While governments and traditional insurance systems play a role, they frequently fall short in addressing the urgent, small-scale needs of vulnerable communities. Governments focus on large-scale recovery efforts, such as restoring power grids and roads, but struggle to address individual needs like replacing a farmer’s contaminated well or a fisher’s equipment. Private insurers, meanwhile, cater primarily to businesses with formal assets, leaving informal workers—such as farmers without land titles or vendors without registered stalls—unprotected. This gap is where meso-level Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) steps in. By connecting government resources, private insurance, and community organizations, CDRFI creates a collaborative system that delivers faster, fairer, and more localized support. Community institutions like cooperatives and NGOs act as direct links to vulnerable populations, leveraging their trust and local knowledge to distribute financial tools such as parametric insurance and community savings funds. Governments and private insurers provide broader financial backing, ensuring sustainability. This integrated approach not only protects livelihoods but also reduces strain on national budgets. Research by the Caribbean Policy Development Centre (CPDC) reveals that 79% of organizations serving vulnerable workers lack disaster response budgets, leaving them stranded during crises. Meso-level CDRFI empowers these organizations to access resources, deliver aid directly, and accelerate recovery. Beyond financial support, this model fosters trust, transparency, and local decision-making, essential for long-term resilience. As climate risks escalate, the Caribbean must adopt solutions tailored to its unique challenges. Meso-level CDRFI offers a promising pathway to connect informal workers with broader resources, ensuring a smarter, more resilient future for the region.

On a vibrant Thursday morning, the streets of Bridgetown, Barbados, resonated with the impassioned voices of primary and secondary school students chanting, “Beyond talk! More action!” This marked the second annual Student Climate March, a pivotal event of the Barbados Youth Climate Action Summit, orchestrated by the Ashley Lashley Foundation under the theme “Beyond Talk, More Action.” The march commenced at Queen’s Park, with students brandishing creatively hand-painted placards bearing urgent messages such as “Rising Temperatures Rising Action” and “The climate is changing, why aren’t we?” These slogans underscored their call for heightened environmental awareness and decisive action. Ashley Lashley, the foundation’s founder, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing its mission to empower youth in climate advocacy. “This initiative is about fostering awareness and sensitization among our youth, helping them realize they have a voice in shaping a sustainable future,” she remarked. Participants from schools like Grantley Adams Memorial Secondary, Lester Vaughan School, and St Giles Primary united in chants such as “Climate action, who’s it for? For we future, that’s for sure!” Lashley also highlighted students’ growing concerns about the tangible impacts of climate change, particularly the rising temperatures affecting their classrooms. The march concluded with gratitude expressed to all participants, who were treated to refreshments. As the event wrapped up, the lingering chant, “This is our future, we gotta act now!” served as a powerful reminder of the urgency of their cause.

From dawn till dusk, Barbadian farmers labor tirelessly, nurturing crops, tending livestock, and ensuring food reaches every table across the island. Their relentless efforts are the backbone of the nation’s food security, a cornerstone of life that World Food Day 2025 seeks to honor. Observed on October 16 under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future,” the day serves as both a tribute to farmers and a reminder of the collective responsibility to safeguard food systems. Acting Chief Agricultural Officer Michael James emphasized that agriculture is the foundation of life, a task that requires unity and collaboration. “We cannot do it alone. Farmers need support from the ministry, and the ministry needs the public’s participation,” he stated. James highlighted the challenges farmers face, including praedial larceny, which disrupts the supply chain. To combat these issues, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented rebate programs, introduced drought-resistant crop varieties, and strengthened livestock resilience initiatives. Modernization efforts are also underway, with upgraded laboratory facilities and a new tissue culture facility to ensure clean planting materials and higher yields. The Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) is expanding its Accelerated Cultivation Programme, focusing on key crops like onions, sweet potatoes, and yams to boost local production and market opportunities. World Food Day celebrations in Barbados extended beyond a single day, encompassing a week of educational activities. Students visited agricultural facilities, while the public enjoyed an open day at the Ministry of Agriculture, featuring machinery demonstrations, innovative farming techniques, and local produce displays. The event also included community outreach, with food hampers distributed to organizations supporting vulnerable populations. James urged Barbadians to embrace locally grown produce, echoing the words of agricultural pioneer Carmeta Fraser: “Eat what you grow, grow what you eat.” He emphasized that the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Food and a Better Future” is a call to action for healthier citizens, empowered farmers, and a nation that values its food. The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring nutritious, affordable, and safe food for all, aligning with the government’s vision for a self-sufficient Barbados.