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The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Caribbean Media Institute (MIC) have launched an initiative to strengthen the capacity of Caribbean journalists to report on plastic pollution and waste management in the context of the circular economy. The collaboration kicks off a 4-part webinar series aimed at deepening journalists’ understanding of the region’s waste management challenges while equipping them with the tools to critically report on these pressing environmental issues.
The webinars, which took place from 22 August to 19 September, attracted great interest from the media community in the OECS and CARICOM regions. 86 journalists registered, with an average of 50 participants on the opening day. The series, co-hosted by MIC, brought together experts from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), academia and private consultancies to provide comprehensive insights on waste management, plastic pollution in the Caribbean, the circular economy, relevant legislation, international agreements, advanced research techniques, and opportunities for media coverage and content creation.
The initiative is an important part of the wider Eastern Caribbean Recycling Project, implemented by the OECS in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) and funded by the European Union. The Eastern Caribbean Recycling Project aims to establish a sustainable model for the collection, separation and recycling of plastic waste in the Eastern Caribbean, contributing to the reduction of plastic pollution in the region’s marine and terrestrial environments.
Chamberlain Emanuel, Head of the Environmental Sustainability Unit of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission, stressed the importance of the training:
“The rapidly growing levels of plastic pollution pose a major threat to our region’s biodiversity, economy and public health. The media has a vital role to play in raising awareness and advocating for necessary changes in policy and practice. Through our partnership with MIC, we aim to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively report on these critical issues and engage the public in the transition to a circular economy.”
Wesley Gibbins, Vice President of the Caribbean Media Academy, added:
“The task of reporting on environmental issues like plastic pollution is more than just delivering information. It requires rigorous journalistic standards, including investigation, accountability, and accurate communication of complex scientific concepts. We are proud to partner with the OECS on this work and look forward to seeing the impactful stories that emerge from this training series.”
Media professionals in the region are encouraged to participate in this important initiative and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development in the Caribbean. The next webinar in the series is scheduled for August 29. For more information on the webinar series, please visit the MIC website.
OECS Commission and Direct Relief announce partnership agreement to strengthen climate health resilience in OECS member states
Last Friday, the OECS Commission and Direct Relief announced the signing of a grant agreement, marking the beginning of an important partnership to improve climate health resilience in the nine English-speaking member states of the OECS. Through this agreement, Direct Relief has generously committed $3 million to fund the new “Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience (EHR) in OECS Member States” project.
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization whose mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, regardless of politics, religion or ability to pay. It works in the United States and internationally to expand access to medicines and health care by equipping doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources.
The EHR project will address critical gaps in health infrastructure identified by OECS member states, focusing on priority areas of specific need in each country. In doing so, the project aims to strengthen national and regional capacities to manage and mitigate the impacts of climate change and other hazards. It will also strengthen financial and coordination mechanisms to effectively respond to disasters and outbreaks.
Since the passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024, the OECS Commission has been working to mobilize resources to support the affected Member States in response, recovery and reconstruction efforts. The OECS Joint Procurement Service (PPS) was able to provide two pallets of hurricane preparedness modules and fifteen emergency medical kits, provided by Direct Relief. The new “Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience in OECS Member States” (EHR) project, which will last for 18 months, is both timely and meaningful, and is expected to have short-, medium- and long-term impacts.
It is in line with the OECS Commission’s mission to promote regional integration in the OECS region and its strategic priorities. In addition, direct beneficiaries of the EHR project include disaster response teams, health facilities and staff. The project is expected to have positive spillover effects on community members, government agencies and partner organizations in the implementing countries, which include: Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
The EHR project is expected to make a significant contribution to the OECS Commission’s Strategic Priority 4: Improving resilience by strengthening communities, systems, infrastructure and people. This includes improving disaster preparedness and response, reducing vulnerability, and increasing the capacity of health systems. By focusing on Strategic Priority 4, the project aims to strengthen access to and investment in health services, thereby reducing health disparities, especially in times of crisis.
Through this funding agreement with Direct Relief, the new “Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience (EHR) in OECS Member States” project enables OECS member states to better respond to health emergencies and crises. It ensures that vulnerable populations continue to receive care even during difficult times and contributes to more sustainable healthcare systems within OECS member states.
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