Carib Scope

分类： world

  • Samenwerking MAS en UKHO beoogt versterking maritieme veiligheid

    Samenwerking MAS en UKHO beoogt versterking maritieme veiligheid

    In a significant bilateral advancement for maritime operations, Suriname’s Maritime Authority (MAS) has formalized a strategic partnership with the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) through a newly signed cooperation agreement. This collaboration focuses on deploying state-of-the-art hydrographic surveying technology and jointly producing specialized navigation charts for maritime transport.

    The partnership will employ advanced multibeam echosounder systems to conduct comprehensive seabed and river mapping, alongside precision hydrographic measurements. This technological integration aims to substantially enhance the efficiency of hydrographic surveys while dramatically reducing production costs associated with both river and seafloor mapping operations.

    According to official statements from MAS, this agreement delivers multifaceted benefits beyond mere cost reduction. It represents a substantial leap in technological capability for Suriname’s maritime sector while simultaneously strengthening navigational safety standards throughout the region. The collaboration marks a critical step in modernizing Suriname’s hydrographic infrastructure through knowledge transfer and technical assistance from one of the world’s leading hydrographic institutions.

    The UKHO brings centuries of cartographic expertise to this partnership, having maintained the world’s largest repository of depth information for safe navigation. This cooperation signifies growing international interest in Suriname’s maritime domain and sets a precedent for technological exchange between Caribbean nations and European specialized agencies.

  • UN Rights Office condemns Sudan fighting as “Flagrant” Breach of International Law

    UN Rights Office condemns Sudan fighting as “Flagrant” Breach of International Law

    A damning report from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has declared the persistent violence in Sudan a blatant violation of international legal frameworks. The comprehensive assessment, released on December 18, 2025, documents systematic atrocities occurring amid the nation’s devastating civil conflict.

    The investigation specifically highlights the April 11-13 assault on Zamzam’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camp as emblematic of widespread humanitarian law breaches. Documented evidence confirms at least 1,013 civilian fatalities during the three-day offensive executed by the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. The report meticulously details horrific accounts of targeted killings, sexual violence, torture, and mass abductions.

    During a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized the urgent need for impartial investigations and accountability through fair judicial proceedings. Türk simultaneously highlighted the critical shortcomings in humanitarian response capabilities, noting that overwhelming needs and persistent insecurity continue to hamper relief efforts in displacement camps.

    The current crisis originated in 2023 following the collapse of Sudan’s transitional government, triggering violent clashes between national armed forces and paramilitary units. Current estimates indicate over 150,000 fatalities and 12 million displaced persons nationwide.

    UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq provided alarming updates regarding deteriorating conditions in the Kordofan region, where escalating drone strikes and artillery shelling have created new displacement crises. Recent attacks on civilian areas in Dilling and Kadugli have forced families to undertake perilous journeys through suspected minefields.

    Between October and December 2025, over 50,000 individuals were displaced across Kordofan due to intensified violence. North Darfur State reports indicate additional civilian casualties and displacement from drone strikes in multiple localities. The conflict’s infrastructure impact expanded significantly with attacks on power stations in Atbara causing widespread blackouts across River Nile State.

    The international humanitarian response faces critical funding shortfalls, with the UN’s $4.2 billion appeal remaining severely underfunded at only 36% of requested resources.

  • UK issues advisory for Barbados visitors

    UK issues advisory for Barbados visitors

    The British government has updated its travel guidance for Barbados, warning citizens of potential terrorist threats despite acknowledging no recent history of such incidents on the island. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advisory states that while Barbados lacks a recent terrorism record, attacks ‘cannot be ruled out’ given the global threat landscape affecting UK interests worldwide.

    The comprehensive advisory additionally highlights concerns about violent crime trends in Barbados, including increased gang-related shootings, armed robberies, and sexual assaults occurring in populated areas. UK travelers are instructed to exercise heightened vigilance regarding personal security, particularly when using ATMs, traveling after dark, and attending large gatherings during festival seasons.

    Barbados Foreign Affairs Minister Kerrie Symmonds contested the terrorism warning as ‘highly improbable’ and theoretically nonexistent. He suggested the advisory might reflect concerns about potential backlash from ‘hateful and divisive policy making’ in Northern Atlantic nations that have alienated migrant populations and developing countries.

    The updated guidance includes specific recommendations: securing accommodations, using licensed taxis with pre-negotiated fares (as meters are absent), avoiding public displays of wealth, and utilizing hotel safes for valuables. Special considerations were provided for LGBT+ travelers, noting conservative Caribbean attitudes toward public affection between same-sex couples.

    Minister Symmonds acknowledged the accuracy of the crime-related portions of the advisory, confirming increased serious offenses and gun-related crimes while maintaining that terrorism references represent a generic global warning rather than Barbados-specific intelligence.

  • FLASH : Large-scale anti-gang operation by the Haitian National Police (PNH) supported by the FRG

    FLASH : Large-scale anti-gang operation by the Haitian National Police (PNH) supported by the FRG

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitian security forces initiated a comprehensive counter-gang operation on Wednesday night, December 18, 2025, targeting multiple districts in the capital region. The Haitian National Police (PNH), backed by specialized Gang Suppression Force (GSF) units utilizing helicopter support, conducted coordinated strikes across Pernier, Torcelle, Tabarre, and Croix-des-Bouquets.

    The primary objective of the mission focused on dismantling operations of the notorious terrorist organization ‘Kraze Barye,’ commanded by Vitel’homme Innocent. The United States Department of State has designated a $2 million bounty for information leading to Innocent’s capture, highlighting the international significance of the operation.

    Local residents endured hours of intense violence as security forces engaged armed groups. The operation featured unprecedented use of kamikaze drones delivering powerful explosions, sustained aerial surveillance by GSF helicopters, and extended exchanges of automatic weapons fire that continued into Thursday morning.

    PNH officials confirmed the ongoing nature of the operation, stating that deployed units would maintain their positions indefinitely until achieving strategic objectives. The protracted conflict has resulted in significant transportation disruptions, with major arteries including the Frères road completely blocked to civilian traffic.

    Authorities have maintained operational silence regarding tactical outcomes or casualties. The PNH issued an official communiqué emphasizing that preliminary assessments would be premature while active engagements continue across multiple fronts.

  • PISLM Executive Director calls on Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government

    PISLM Executive Director calls on Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government

    Senior officials from the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) convened with Jamaican government leaders on December 8, 2025, to strengthen collaborative efforts addressing environmental challenges. The delegation, led by PISLM Executive Director Dr. Ronen C.A. Francis and CSIDS SOILCARE Project Manager Trevor Thompson, met with Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, Permanent Secretary Marsha Henry-Martin, and Senior Director of Hazard Mitigation Patrick Watson.

    The high-level discussions centered on accelerating implementation of the SOILCARE Project, enhancing drought resilience strategies, and supporting recovery initiatives in regions devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Particular attention was given to two critical land degradation zones—Holland Estate and Lowe River intervention sites—identified under Jamaica’s Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme.

    The meeting also addressed broader regional environmental initiatives endorsed at the June 2025 Ministerial Forum in Grenada, including the Caribbean Land Degradation Neutrality Transformative Project, Caribbean Drought Initiative, and Caribbean Sand and Dust Storms Initiative. Minister McKenzie highlighted growing concerns about intensifying dry season droughts and their impact on Jamaica’s water security, especially noting vulnerabilities in Kingston’s water supply infrastructure and agricultural drought effects.

    Representing civil society involvement, Reginald Burke of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network attended as part of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean, demonstrating PISLM’s commitment to multi-stakeholder engagement. PISLM reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Jamaican farmers and collaborating with national and regional partners to address climate variability challenges.

  • Grenada launches Revised National Adaptation Plan

    Grenada launches Revised National Adaptation Plan

    Grenada has reinforced its position as a global leader in climate resilience with the official unveiling of its updated National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2025-2030. The Caribbean nation, among the first worldwide to both develop and now revise a comprehensive climate strategy, continues to establish benchmarks for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in environmental governance and preparedness.

    The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy orchestrated this pivotal national event, cementing its central role in steering the country’s climate adaptation agenda. This enhanced five-year framework builds upon previous achievements while introducing more ambitious, integrated approaches across multiple sectors. The strategy identifies 14 critical Programmes of Action focusing on water resource management, climate-smart agriculture, healthcare system fortification, disaster readiness, and natural ecosystem preservation.

    Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell formally introduced the plan during a keynote address on November 26, 2025, emphasizing the immediate realities of climate change affecting Grenadians daily. “Our islands face undeniable vulnerability to a changing climate,” Mitchell stated, citing escalating sea levels, intensified storms, prolonged droughts, and coastal erosion as present dangers rather than theoretical concerns.

    The ceremony also featured the reconstitution of the Climate Change Focal Point Network, designed to enhance cross-sectoral coordination as climate threats intensify. Minister Hon. Kerryne James delivered a compelling address calling for increased global action, noting that the adaptation financing gap continues to widen despite vulnerable nations’ escalating needs.

    International recognition came from Dr. Orville Grey, Head of Secretariat of the NAP Global Network, who applauded Grenada’s pioneering role in adaptation planning. He highlighted that Grenada remains among the few nations globally to publish detailed progress reports, demonstrating exceptional commitment to transparency and accountability.

    The revised plan prioritizes institutional strengthening, community-level resilience, and improved access to climate finance. Dr. Grey reaffirmed international support for developing investment briefs to mobilize the required US$572 million for full implementation.

    Dr. Roxanne Graham-Victor, National Climate Change Adaptation Officer, detailed the comprehensive revision process that began with a 2022 progress assessment and expanded through nationwide consultations engaging over 200 stakeholders. Notable enhancements include deeper community involvement and the Youth in Action for Climate Change Adaptation campaign, which has already reached numerous educational institutions.

    This strategic blueprint, supported by the NAP Global Network, IISD, and international partners including Germany and Ireland, establishes a foundation for coordinated, forward-looking adaptation efforts through 2030, positioning Grenada at the forefront of climate resilience innovation.

  • FRF delivers 7,000 gallons of fuel to hurricane relief efforts

    FRF delivers 7,000 gallons of fuel to hurricane relief efforts

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the devastating aftermath of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which crippled Jamaica’s infrastructure with widespread power outages and severe fuel shortages, a Houston-based humanitarian organization has emerged as a critical lifeline for emergency services. The Fuel Relief Fund (FRF) provided over 7,000 gallons of complimentary fuel to sustain medical facilities and first responders across the hardest-hit regions.

    The strategic fuel distribution prioritized healthcare institutions including Black River Hospital, the Samaritan’s Purse-operated Black River Field Hospital, Savanna-la-Mar Hospital, Falmouth Hospital, and Cornwall Regional Hospital. This intervention addressed overwhelming demand in areas where conventional fuel supply chains had been completely disrupted.

    FRF executed a rapid deployment initiative within days of the catastrophe, mobilizing a specialized five-member team to Montego Bay. The team—comprising Joe Lee, Ted Honcharik, Sean Wilson, Brendan Lee, and Ray Travers—coordinated relief operations recognizing the urgent need for energy solutions.

    “Medical professionals have demonstrated extraordinary resilience,” stated FRF team member Joe Lee. “Many nurses and doctors are working consecutive shifts despite experiencing significant personal property damage, with some currently residing in their vehicles.”

    The successful mobilization was facilitated through collaborative partnerships with Airlink, American Airlines, MEDIC Corps, and local Jamaican entities including PetroJam Limited, Johnson’s Petroleum, and regional law enforcement agencies.

    FRF emphasized the multidimensional importance of fuel in disaster scenarios, noting its necessity for powering hospital generators, facilitating water treatment processes, enabling emergency transportation, and supporting basic family needs including food preparation, water sanitation, and communication capabilities through device charging.

    Elon Parkinson, Communications Manager at Petrojam, confirmed the company’s coordination support, highlighting their commitment to maintaining Jamaica’s energy security through strategic fuel reserves that ensure continuous service availability during crises.

  • UN declares famine over in Gaza, says ‘situation remains critical’

    UN declares famine over in Gaza, says ‘situation remains critical’

    The United Nations has officially announced the cessation of famine conditions in the Gaza Strip, marking a significant yet fragile milestone in the region’s humanitarian crisis. This development, confirmed on Friday, is attributed to a notable improvement in the flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. The assessment was delivered by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, the UN’s specialized body for monitoring and warning of impending food crises.

    Despite the lifting of the famine classification, which had been declared in August, the IPC delivered a stark caution. The organization’s analysis indicates that the entire population of Gaza continues to face a ‘Emergency’ level food security crisis, a classification that is projected to persist through at least mid-April 2026. This phase is the second most severe on the IPC’s five-tier scale, immediately preceding Famine, indicating that while the most extreme outcome has been temporarily averted, the situation remains dire and precarious for the populace.

    The improved aid access, which facilitated this change, underscores the critical importance of sustained and unimpeded humanitarian corridors. However, the IPC’s report emphasizes that the underlying vulnerabilities have not been resolved. The population’s access to sufficient food is tenuous and heavily reliant on continuous external assistance, with any significant disruption to aid pipelines posing an immediate threat of regression into famine conditions. The announcement serves as both a testament to recent diplomatic and logistical efforts and a severe warning that the crisis is far from over.

  • CARILEC mobilises regional support to boost JPS power restoration efforts

    CARILEC mobilises regional support to boost JPS power restoration efforts

    In an unprecedented demonstration of regional cooperation, Jamaica’s national power grid is rapidly recovering from the devastation of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa through a massive multinational assistance effort coordinated by the Caribbean Electric Utility Services Corporation (CARILEC).

    The catastrophic storm, which struck with historic intensity, initially left 540,000 customers (77% of JPS’s client base) without electricity. Through the coordinated efforts of the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme (CDAP), power restoration has progressed dramatically, with only 16% of customers remaining without electricity as of December 17.

    JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant emphasized that “the significant progress we have made with restoration is a direct result of the collaboration and partnerships that have defined the approach to restoration after Hurricane Melissa.” The regional mutual-aid initiative has deployed over 170 skilled line workers from 18 Caribbean utilities and private contractors across the region.

    The assistance program represents one of the largest coordinated disaster responses in Caribbean energy history. Crews from Anguilla Electricity Company, Antigua Public Utilities Authority, Barbados Light and Power, Bahamas Power and Light, and numerous other utilities have been working alongside JPS teams to rebuild extensively damaged transmission and distribution infrastructure.

    CARILEC Chairman Wayne Caines explained the philosophical foundation behind the effort: “Hurricane Melissa reminds us that when something happens to any one of our partners, it affects us all. CARILEC exists so that no member faces that challenge alone.” He praised JPS’s restoration strategy as “best in class” and committed that CARILEC would remain engaged “until every household that can safely be reconnected has electricity again.”

    The CDAP program, funded through annual contributions from 27 member utilities and support from international donor organizations including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the German Agency for International Cooperation, represents a model of regional preparedness for increasingly severe weather events exacerbated by climate change.

    The successful implementation of this regional cooperation framework demonstrates how Caribbean nations are developing innovative solutions to build energy resilience and accelerate recovery from natural disasters that frequently impact the region.

  • IOM launches free online course for International Migrants Day, ‘From Risk to Resilience’

    IOM launches free online course for International Migrants Day, ‘From Risk to Resilience’

    MARKING INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY, THE UN MIGRATION AGENCY’S CARIBBEAN OFFICE HAS UNVEILED A COMPREHENSIVE, SELF-PACED ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN POLICY RESPONSES TO CLIMATE-INDUCED MOBILITY. THE COURSE, TITLED “FROM RISK TO RESILIENCE: CRAFTING EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE MOBILITY POLICIES IN THE CARIBBEAN,” IS NOW AVAILABLE ON IOM’S E-CAMPUS PLATFORM AT NO COST. IT TARGETS POLICYMAKERS, DEVELOPMENT PRACTITIONERS, AND STAKEHOLDERS COMMITTED TO BOLSTERING THE REGION’S CLIMATE RESILIENCE. DEVELOPED UNDER THE FRENCH-FUNDED INITIATIVE “IMPLEMENTING GLOBAL POLICIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION AND DISASTER DISPLACEMENT AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL,” THE CURRICULUM SYNTHESIZES BEST PRACTICES AND CRITICAL RECOMMENDATIONS GATHERED FROM THE CARIBBEAN AND OTHER SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS). ITS CORE MISSION IS TO FOSTER A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION, DISPLACEMENT, AND PLANNED RELOCATION, URGING THE MAINSTREAMING OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS INTO NATIONAL AND REGIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORKS. THE TRAINING IS STRUCTURED INTO SEVEN IN-DEPTH MODULES COVERING KEY AREAS: INTEGRATING HUMAN MOBILITY INTO CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RESPONSE; ASSESSING CLIMATE-RELATED RISKS AND COMMUNITY VULNERABILITY; LEVERAGING EVACUATION PROCEDURES FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION; FORMULATING ROBUST POLICIES FOR PLANNED RELOCATION; ADDRESSING LABOR MOBILITY AND DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE; BRIDGING HUMANITARIAN ACTION WITH DEVELOPMENT GOALS; AND DESIGNING POLICIES FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND ENHANCED RESILIENCE. PARTICIPANTS WILL GAIN ACCESS TO EXPERT ANALYSIS AND PRACTICAL INSIGHTS FROM LEADING CARIBBEAN SPECIALISTS, ENSURING THE CONTENT IS TAILORED TO THE REGION’S UNIQUE CHALLENGES. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE COURSE AWARDS A CERTIFICATE. PATRICE QUESADA, IOM COORDINATOR FOR THE CARIBBEAN, STRESSED THE URGENCY OF THE MATTER: “THE CARIBBEAN STANDS AT THE FRONTLINE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, AS OUR COMMUNITIES ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING ITS FEARFUL IMPACTS. YET DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION ARE ONLY STARTING TO BE INTEGRATED IN REGIONAL AND NATIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES. WITH THIS COURSE, WE WILL EMPOWER POLICYMAKERS AND PRACTITIONERS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND STRATEGIES NEEDED TO TURN MOBILITY RISK INTO RESILIENCE.” IOM STRONGLY ENCOURAGES GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES, AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ENROLL AND WIDELY DISSEMINATE THIS CRITICAL RESOURCE. THE COURSE IS DEEMED ESPECIALLY PERTINENT FOR THOSE WORKING ON IMPLEMENTING “THE REGIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR INTEGRATING HUMAN MOBILITY CDM PROGRAMMING ACROSS CARICOM,” A FRAMEWORK DEVELOPED RECENTLY WITH IOM’S TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN COLLABORATION WITH CDEMA AND NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.