Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • CDB welcomes GCF approval of  major climate resilience investment for  the Bahamas’ water sector

    CDB welcomes GCF approval of  major climate resilience investment for  the Bahamas’ water sector

    BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Bahamas has received landmark approval for a comprehensive water security initiative that will transform the nation’s climate resilience capabilities. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has sanctioned the Climate Resilience of the Water Sector in The Bahamas project, representing a strategic partnership between the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Bahamian government, and the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC).

    With total funding of $65.2 million, the project combines a GCF grant of $37.506 million, a GCF concessional loan of $12.546 million, a CDB loan of $12.546 million, and a $2.602 million in-kind contribution from WSC. This financial package will address the archipelago’s escalating vulnerability to climate-related water challenges through infrastructure modernization and governance strengthening.

    As one of the world’s most climate-sensitive Small Island Developing States, The Bahamas faces existential threats to its freshwater resources. With 83% of its landmass lying less than five meters above sea level, the nation contends with hurricane damage, seven-meter storm surges, prolonged droughts, and saltwater intrusion into its limited groundwater reserves. The country’s heavy reliance on expensive desalination has further strained utility operations amid frequent service disruptions.

    The initiative will deploy comprehensive interventions across six islands: New Providence, South Andros, Mangrove Cay, North and Central Andros, Abaco, and Acklins. Key components include climate-resilient wellfields, storm-proof pumping stations, expanded water storage capacity, enhanced system connectivity, and targeted water loss reduction measures.

    L. O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s Director of Projects, described the investment as “a transformational opportunity for The Bahamas that combines robust climate-resilient infrastructure with strengthened governance and data-driven management to safeguard water security for generations to come.”

    Kristin Lang, Director of GCF’s Latin America and Caribbean Department, emphasized that this marks GCF’s first single-country project in The Bahamas, demonstrating commitment to “strengthening country-owned solutions where climate risks are highest.” The project aligns directly with CDB’s Strategic Plan 2026-2035, prioritizing climate action and resilient infrastructure as central to regional transformation.

    Upon completion, the initiative will directly benefit over 215,000 residents while bolstering national climate resilience for an additional 199,000 people, creating a more sustainable water future for the vulnerable island nation.

  • Government to convene a national consultation to address growing concerns of CNCDs

    Government to convene a national consultation to address growing concerns of CNCDs

    The Caribbean nation of Dominica is confronting what Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has characterized as a “national emergency” due to the devastating impact of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (CNCDs). In a recent press conference, Skerrit announced plans to convene a high-level national consultation to address this mounting public health crisis that now represents the greatest threat to both national health and economic stability.

    Epidemiological data from the past fifteen years reveals CNCDs—including cardiovascular conditions, stroke, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, and hypertension—have emerged as the predominant cause of mortality nationwide. Beyond the human toll, these conditions are severely undermining economic productivity and draining national healthcare resources.

    Prime Minister Skerrit emphasized the critical need for enhanced preventive measures, noting the irreversible nature of many CNCDs. “Prevention remains our most effective strategy since cures for these conditions remain limited,” Skerrit stated. “We’re witnessing too many citizens reaching medical facilities at advanced stages where effective intervention becomes extremely challenging.”

    The financial burden has reached alarming proportions, with the Ministry of Health allocating approximately 75% of its hospital budget to CNCD treatment. This substantial expenditure highlights the urgent need for strategic reallocation toward prevention and early intervention programs.

    The forthcoming national consultation will seek to develop comprehensive strategies involving multisectoral collaboration. Skerrit stressed the necessity of society-wide engagement, stating, “This transcends healthcare alone—it requires educational initiatives reaching from children to seniors, ensuring every generation understands prevention and management techniques.”

    The government’s initiative aims to implement robust public education campaigns while creating coordinated policies to reduce CNCD prevalence through lifestyle modifications, early detection programs, and improved healthcare access.

  • Partnerships key to preserving stability in RSS member states

    Partnerships key to preserving stability in RSS member states

    CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA – In a definitive address underscoring the critical importance of international collaboration, the Executive Director of the Regional Security System (RSS), Rear Admiral Errington Shurland, declared that public-private partnerships and multilateral cooperation are indispensable for preserving stability and safeguarding shared values among member states. The remarks were delivered at the RSS Council of Ministers Meeting, convened on Friday, March 27, 2026, at The Harbor Club.

    Facing an era defined by shifting global dynamics and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, Rear Admiral Shurland asserted that strong and enduring alliances are the fundamental prerequisite for nations to overcome increasingly complex and emerging security challenges. He articulated that the existing cooperative frameworks are not merely operational conduits but function as essential ‘pillars of trust,’ enabling a unified front against transnational threats.

    The RSS head cataloged a portfolio of successful collaborations with a diverse coalition of international governments and regional institutions. These pivotal partners include the governments of Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, alongside financial and policy bodies such as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the various organs of CARICOM.

    Emphasizing the transnational nature of modern criminality, Shurland stated, ‘In an international system characterized by shared security concerns and the interconnectedness of criminal organizations across several jurisdictions, international cooperation remains an essential pillar in successfully managing crime and security.’

    Looking forward, the RSS is poised to act as a catalyst for deepened multilateralism. Ambitious initiatives on the horizon include expanded work with Global Affairs Canada, the Caribbean Development Bank, and the European Union through the Neighbourhood Development International Cooperation Instrument and the EL PACCTO 2.0 programme. These efforts represent a renewed commitment to global engagement over fragmentation.

    Additional co-sponsored initiatives will focus on enhancing legislative frameworks to combat cyber-enabled crimes, strengthening comprehensive data collection and sharing systems among criminal justice agencies, and developing a new Strategic Plan with a sustainable funding model. These projects will be advanced with support from the European Union and the CDB, respectively.

    Rear Admiral Shurland also highlighted the ongoing value of the RSS’s partnerships with the United Kingdom’s One Caribbean Fund and the United States’ Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, citing them as further evidence that robust partnerships are the cornerstone of ensuring the region’s collective security and resilience.

  • Dominica goes down to Guyana in CONCACAF series

    Dominica goes down to Guyana in CONCACAF series

    The Dominican Republic’s Santiago stadium witnessed a determined yet ultimately unsuccessful effort from Dominica’s Senior Men’s National Football Team as they fell 2-0 to Guyana in Friday’s Concacaf Series match. Despite entering the contest ranked more than 30 positions below their opponents in the FIFA standings, the Dominican squad displayed remarkable competitiveness throughout the encounter.

    The match began promisingly for Dominica, who controlled early proceedings and demonstrated tactical discipline against their higher-ranked opposition. This encouraging start was abruptly halted in the 27th minute when Guyana broke the deadlock against the run of play. The situation deteriorated just three minutes later as the Guyanese attackers capitalized on defensive disorganization to double their advantage before halftime.

    Displaying renewed determination after the interval, Dominica emerged as the dominant side in the second half. The team generated multiple scoring opportunities through improved offensive coordination and sustained pressure on Guyana’s defense. While the attacking efforts demonstrated significant improvement, the squad struggled with finishing precision in the final third. Defensively, Dominica maintained excellent structural integrity throughout the second period, successfully preventing any further concessions against a dangerous Guyanese counterattacking side.

    The final whistle confirmed Dominica’s third consecutive defeat in the tournament, leaving the team seeking solutions ahead of their crucial upcoming fixture. The squad will return to action on Monday, March 30th, facing Sint Maarten in a 6:00 PM encounter that represents an critical opportunity to reverse their current negative trend in the competition.

  • DGS, WHS secure spots in Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Finals

    DGS, WHS secure spots in Inter-Secondary Schools Debate Finals

    A new chapter in inter-school collaboration has been inaugurated through a pioneering partnership between student representatives from two educational institutions. The initiative, marked by a formal meeting, featured Lydia Charles and Micaela Benjamin alongside their counterparts Hephzibah Ademola and Niola Alleyne.

    This groundbreaking engagement establishes a framework for shared learning and cooperative projects between the student bodies. The convening signifies a strategic move toward fostering leadership development, cultural exchange, and academic cooperation beyond traditional school boundaries.

    Educational experts highlight the importance of such partnerships in preparing students for future collaborative environments. The dialogue focused on identifying mutual goals and establishing committees to implement joint community service projects and academic competitions.

    The participating students represent a new generation of leaders committed to breaking down institutional barriers. Their discussion encompassed strategies for sustainable partnership models that could serve as templates for other schools seeking similar collaborations.

    This alliance comes at a time when educational institutions are increasingly recognizing the value of cross-pollination between student governments. The partnership aims to create lasting infrastructure for ongoing cooperation that will benefit students from both institutions for years to come.

  • OECS BioSPACE Boosts Fisheries in Dominica with Ice Cooler Handover

    OECS BioSPACE Boosts Fisheries in Dominica with Ice Cooler Handover

    In a significant move to bolster sustainable fishing practices, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission is set to distribute ice coolers to fisher communities in Dominica on March 31, 2026. This initiative falls under the European Union-funded Biodiversity Support Programme for ACP Coastal Environments (BioSPACE), implemented in partnership with the Dominican government.

    The equipment handover ceremony will witness participation from key stakeholders including Chief Fisheries Officer Ms. Wynnona Joseph, government representatives, and members of the Mahaut and Layou fishing communities. This intervention addresses critical post-harvest challenges by enabling improved fish storage and preservation systems.

    Beyond reducing spoilage and enhancing product quality, these ice coolers are projected to increase the economic value of fishermen’s catches. The initiative represents a practical approach to strengthening community resilience while promoting responsible marine resource management.

    The BioSPACE project’s comprehensive approach extends beyond fisheries support. In 2024, the program enhanced mariculture development in Woodford Hill Bay through the donation of a locally manufactured fiberglass boat to seamoss farmers. This intervention particularly benefited women-led enterprises and rural communities, facilitating equipment transport and improved harvesting capabilities.

    These efforts collectively contribute to Dominica’s emerging blue economy, balancing ecological conservation with economic advancement. Beneficiaries will receive guidance on equipment maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability and continued community benefits from these resource enhancements.

  • CARICOM praises regional nursing leadership amid post‑hurricane challenges

    CARICOM praises regional nursing leadership amid post‑hurricane challenges

    Amidst a landscape shaped by natural disasters, workforce shortages, and mounting public health challenges, Caribbean nursing leaders have demonstrated remarkable resilience in advancing the region’s healthcare agenda. The Regional Nursing Body (RNB) commenced its pivotal four-day assembly in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, on March 23, 2026, bringing together executive, education, and practice committees to address critical healthcare priorities.

    Helen Royer, Director of Human Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, opened the proceedings by acknowledging the extraordinary contributions of nursing professionals during the devastating Hurricane Melissa. Their rapid mobilization and unwavering dedication, she emphasized, exemplified the strength of the Caribbean’s healthcare workforce during times of unprecedented crisis.

    The meeting highlighted significant achievements from the previous year, including the successful implementation of the Japan-supported assessment of the CXC-managed Regional Examination for Nurse Registration. Substantial progress was also reported in developing a Draft Strategic Framework to guide the RNB’s 2026–2035 Strategic Plan, alongside advancements in harmonizing education, practice, and regulatory standards for midwives across CARICOM member states.

    Despite these accomplishments, delegates confronted persistent challenges including demographic shifts, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, and the ongoing impact of health professional migration. The meeting agenda focused on strategic responses to these issues, particularly exploring the expanded role of Advanced Practice Nurses in managing NCDs and mental health conditions. Additional priorities included developing innovative strategies to address workforce shortages, enhancing educator capacity through international partnerships, and establishing ethical mobility mechanisms for health professionals during emergencies.

    The CARICOM Secretariat expressed confidence that these deliberations would contribute to building a more resilient, responsive, and unified regional nursing sector, ultimately supporting universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals across the Caribbean region.

  • Dominica strengthens marine protection framework as new research highlights global importance of local sperm whale habitat

    Dominica strengthens marine protection framework as new research highlights global importance of local sperm whale habitat

    In a landmark move for marine conservation, the Caribbean nation of Dominica has formally established the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve through the creation of a dedicated governance board and operational team. The decision, approved by Cabinet on March 24th, represents a comprehensive implementation of the Sperm Whale Reserve Act designed to protect one of the ocean’s most intelligent creatures.

    The newly formed Sperm Whale Reserve Board will provide strategic oversight, policy direction, and governance framework for managing the protected marine area. This governing body will guide conservation efforts aimed at safeguarding sperm whale populations while ensuring sustainable use of marine resources within the designated reserve.

    Complementing the board’s establishment, Cabinet approved the creation of two critical operational positions: Chief Sperm Whale Reserve Officer and Sperm Whale Reserve Rangers. The Chief Officer will coordinate all reserve activities, while the Rangers will conduct monitoring, enforcement, surveillance, and public education programs to ensure compliance with conservation regulations.

    This conservation initiative comes at a pivotal moment as international scientific research continues to highlight Dominica’s exceptional role in sperm whale preservation. A groundbreaking study by Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative) documented one of the most comprehensive recordings of a sperm whale birth ever captured, which occurred off Dominica’s coast on July 8, 2023. Using drone footage, underwater audio, and behavioral observations, researchers captured rare cooperative behavior among 11 whales assisting a newborn calf—the most extensive natural record of any cetacean birth to date.

    Dominica’s waters host one of the world’s most studied and socially stable sperm whale family units, making the island a globally significant site for understanding whale communication, behavior, and evolution. Dominican researchers played crucial roles in the international study, with findings underscoring both the ecological importance of the island’s marine environment and the necessity of long-term conservation measures.

    Government officials emphasize that the reserve’s establishment aligns with Dominica’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The initiative positions the island nation as a leader in marine conservation at a time when scientific evidence increasingly demonstrates the global value of its unique marine ecosystems.

  • Dominica finalises framework for new U.S. migration arrangement amid demographic challenges

    Dominica finalises framework for new U.S. migration arrangement amid demographic challenges

    The Commonwealth of Dominica has formally established the operational framework for its Third Country National Arrangement (TCNA) with the United States, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit confirmed during a Wednesday press briefing. This development follows intensive technical consultations aimed at finalizing procedures for Dominica’s designated port of entry, signaling a critical advancement in bilateral migration cooperation.

    The TCNA mechanism, initiated under a U.S. proclamation dated December 16, 2025, establishes protocols for managing individuals transiting through partner nations during U.S. immigration processing. This agreement emerges alongside partial visa restrictions imposed on specific traveler categories by American authorities.

    Concurrently, independent researcher McCarthy Marie has characterized Dominica’s demographic situation as a ‘national emergency,’ citing unprecedented low birth rates. The China-Friendship Hospital documented merely 513 births throughout 2025—the lowest figure in contemporary records. Marie’s analysis reveals a persistent trend where annual deaths consistently surpass births, creating compounded challenges including declining school enrollments, an aging agricultural workforce, and mounting Social Security liabilities.

    Marie perceives the anticipated arrival of migrants under U.S. policies as a potential demographic opportunity, advocating for strategic diplomatic engagement to prioritize family-based migration. He emphasized that ‘every family with children settling here constitutes a partial solution to our birth deficit,’ while warning against disproportionate acceptance of unaccompanied single males due to documented social integration challenges in small island communities.

    The Skerrit administration has not publicly indicated whether demographic considerations will inform TCNA negotiations. While no implementation timeline was disclosed, the completed procedural framework enables Dominica to progress toward operationalizing the arrangement with U.S. counterparts.

  • Mahaut plans big send-off for Cletus Halibut Abraham

    Mahaut plans big send-off for Cletus Halibut Abraham

    The Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica prepares for an emotional farewell to its musical pioneer Cletus ‘Halibut’ Abraham, the revered cadence-lypso artist who passed away on March 14th. The Mahaut community has organized a comprehensive two-day memorial honoring their native son, beginning with a funeral service at St. Martin de Porres Chapel in Canefield on Saturday, March 28th, followed by burial at Mahaut Public Cemetery.

    A distinctive feature of the send-off will be a public viewing opportunity at Mahaut Market from 8:00-8:30 a.m., allowing admirers to pay their final respects. The commemorations culminate on Sunday, March 29th with a massive tribute concert at Mahaut Market grounds commencing at 6:00 p.m.

    Abraham’s musical legacy spans five decades, beginning as lead vocalist for the legendary Belles Combo where he composed iconic tracks including ‘Simplify Yourself,’ ‘Jaws,’ and ‘Mal Eleve, la Vie Vini Pli Weid.’ His subsequent solo career produced contemporary classics like ‘Pawabol’ and ‘Wash Their Tongue,’ earning him multiple cadence-lypso competition victories and celebrated performances at the World Creole Festival.

    The tribute concert will feature prominent local artists including Lloydie (First Serenade Band), Nacheal, Senator, Janet Azzouz, calypso veteran Joey Lloyd, and serial cadence-lypso champion White Fayrie. Special appearances by Chubby and Co. of Midnight Groovers fame will complement heartfelt testimonials from family, community leaders, and former Belles Combo members.

    Produced by First Serenade Band with technical support from Kairi Sounds, the event has garnered substantial institutional backing from Parliamentary Representative Hon. Cassanni Laville, the Mahaut/Jimmit/Tarreau Village Council, and media outlets including Kairi FM, DBS Radio, Emo News, and Q95 FM.

    This celebration transcends musical performance, serving as a national acknowledgment of Abraham’s enduring impact on Dominican culture and the broader Caribbean music landscape. Organizers anticipate strong public participation, particularly urging Mahaut residents to honor their cultural icon’s profound legacy.