During a virtual ceremony, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and partners launched officially the Project on Climate Change and Health in the Caribbean EU/CARIFORUM. This project has the objective of strengthening the health systems in 16 Caribbean countries to face climatic threats.
The Secretary-General of the PS/ACTO, Alexandra Moreira, participated at this virtual ceremony. In her speech, she highlighted the regional focus on climate change issues, health, and the participation opportunities in the Americas. Moreira explained that priority is given to the effect of climate change on health in the Amazon because it is essential to focus on certain typical diseases of this area. “Among the diseases transmitted by vectors in tropical and subtropical areas, dengue and malaria are a attention priorities.”
She also mentioned that the Region faces a double risk and attention, that is, the urgency to focus on the best living conditions and health of the people, but also on the environmental health of the ecosystem that consequently impacts on the lives of the population.
Finally, she expressed that the implementation of this important project between the EU and the Caribbean will inspire its replicability. “In fact, we can talk already about joint technical assistance in the exchange of good practices, experiences, and knowledge on the subject of both regions, along with these important actions that will be implemented.” This project to strengthen climate-resilient health systems will contribute to the reduction of mortality and diseases from the sanitary consequences of climate change. It will also focus on coordinating innovative climate and health activities at the Caribbean subregional level.
The Director of PAHO, Dr. Carissa Etienne, opened the event speaking about the EU/CARIFORUM Project that is a critical need in the Caribbean, and the Head of Delegation of the European Union in Barbados, the States of the Eastern Caribbean, OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Malgorzata Wasilewska, spoke about the EU’s commitment to climate and health actions in the Caribbean. Likewise, the Secretary-General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), Dr. Vinicio Cerezo, addressed the regional approaches, and the Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of CARICOM, talked about the view of CARICOM about impacts of climate change and health, particularly in small developing island states.
