This story was first published by UNDPKalinago Territory, Dominica - 14 January 2026: The Strengthening Community Resilience in the Kalinago Territory (SCR-K) project convened its first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, at the St. Cyr Resource Centre, formally establishing governance and oversight arrangements for the initiative aimed at enhancing climate-resilient agriculture, forest and watershed restoration, and sustainable ecotourism. The project is funded by the Government of India through the United Nations Office of South-to-South Cooperation and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica through the Ministry of Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment and the Kalinago Council. The meeting brought together senior Government officials, community leadership, donor representatives, and UNDP staff. Participants included the Attaché, High Commission of India, Mr. Sukhvinder Malik; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency Empowerment and Senior Beneficiary of the project, Ms. Lisa Valmond; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ryan Anselm; and Mrs. Gweneth Frederick, representing the Ministry of Tourism. The Kalinago Council was represented by Mr. Wayne Rossie, standing in for Kalinago Chief, Ouboutou Mrs. Annette Thomas-Sanford.The meeting was chaired by Mrs. Elizabeth Charles-Soomer, Prevention, Recovery and Resilience Cluster Lead with UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, with participation from Mr. Justin Shone, Head of the UNDP Dominica Project Office, and Ms. Sawana Fabien, Project Analyst at UNDP. Senior Government officials, donor representatives, community leaders, and UNDP staff during the Project Steering Committee meeting in the Kalinago Territory.UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean/ Zaimis OlmosIn her remarks, Permanent Secretary Valmond underscored that the meeting took place within an important national context where development priorities are framed around resilience, empowerment, and inclusive growth. “The Kalinago people have long demonstrated strength, cultural pride, and resourcefulness, and this project speaks directly to those values,” she said. “We are grateful for UNDP’s continued support and leadership in championing initiatives that align with national priorities, sector strategies, and the Ministry’s objectives, while empowering the Kalinago people as leaders and agents of change.” She expressed appreciation to UNDP for its continued support and to the Government of India for investing in a project that is both timely and critical. “The benefits of this initiative extend well beyond activities on the ground, reaching into resilience, livelihoods, and sustainable community empowerment within the Kalinago Territory,” Ms. Valmond noted. “While the Kalinago people are beneficiaries of development, they are also leaders and agents of change—shaping outcomes and sustaining benefits beyond the project lifecycle.” Ms. Lisa Valmond, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernisation, Kalinago Upliftment and Constituency EmpowermentUNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean/ Zaimis OlmosSpeaking on behalf of UNDP, Ms. Charles-Soomer underscored the importance of strong governance and partnerships in delivering results. “This first Steering Committee meeting lays the foundation for effective coordination, accountability, and results-driven implementation,” she said. “UNDP remains committed to working alongside Government, the Kalinago Council, and development partners to ensure this project delivers lasting, community-led impact.” Mrs. Elizabeth Charles-Soomer, Cluster Lead for Prevention, Recovery, and Resilience, UNDP Barbados and the Eastern CaribbeanUNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean/ Zaimis OlmosRepresenting the donor, Mr. Malik highlighted the project as a reflection of the strong partnership between India and the Caribbean. “This project is a signing testament to the enduring bonds of friendship between India and the Caribbean region as a whole, particularly empowering the indigenous communities. This project is on improving resilience in agriculture, enhancing forest and watersheds restoration and strengthening indigenous tourism. These things, they not only address the vulnerabilities they also enrich the rich cultural heritage of the Kalinago people. It ensures that resilience is built on a foundation of tradition and innovation” Mr. Malik also emphasized the importance of capacity building as a core component of the project, noting that members of the Kalinago community may benefit from targeted technical exchanges, including opportunities under the Government of India’s- Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme. “Together, we are not just building resilience,” he added. “We are nurturing hope, prosperity, and a brighter future — not only for the Kalinago people, but for Indigenous communities and Dominica as a whole.” Mr. Sukhvinder Malik, Attaché, High Commission of IndiaUNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean/ Zaimis OlmosDuring the meeting, the Steering Committee reviewed the project’s objectives, governance structure, and proposed 2026 work plan, with an indicative budget of approximately 888,000 USD (2,350,000 XCD). The Steering Committee concluded by reaffirming its commitment to results-oriented implementation and agreed on key next steps to accelerate delivery in 2026, expressing confidence that the project will lay a strong foundation for long-term resilience and inclusive development in the Kalinago Territory. Following the formal session, participants took part in a guided site tour of the Kalinago Barana Autê (KBA) Model Village, showcasing traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and livelihood activities. The site visit demonstrated how the SCR-K project will enhance existing visitor experiences in line with the Government’s strategic vision to integrate traditional knowledge with modern innovation, strengthen individual and community capacity, stimulate local economic activity, and support sustainable livelihoods.   

The 13th annual Model United Nations (MUN) Assembly got underway at UN House in Barbados over the weekend, with over 40 secondary school students from across  the island set to be immersed in the world of international relations,  global affairs, negotiations, and policy making over the next six weeks. Organized by the Rotary Clubs of Barbados, Barbados West and Barbados South, the theme for this year is World Trade, and will feature a World Trade Organization  Model United Nations (WTO MUN). In the coming weeks,  students will assume the role of diplomats, represent various nations, and address  some of the most pressing trade issues impacting countries, including small island developing states. A team of highly qualified international professionals and career diplomats will support them, through intensive training and mentorship.  UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, welcomed the students to UN House during the Official Launch ceremony, urging them to embrace the experience as a global leadership platform, rather than simply as an academic exercise.“With this assembly focusing on the WTO, you are stepping into one of the most dynamic areas of international cooperation. Trade is not just about economics  - it is about fairness , opportunity and building bridges  between nations. It is about ensuring that no country, no community, and no individual is left behind. The work you do over the course of the next weeks, and conversations you have, will mirror the realities faced by leaders around the world - including your own Prime Minister  - reconciling diverse perspectives, seeking compromise and finding creative solutions." Also addressing the launch was Rotary District Governor, Soraya Warner-Gustave, who welcomed the ongoing partnership between Rotary Barbados and the UN. She told the gathering:  “A Model UN represents for me a powerful partnership between education and service – one that aligns closely with the mission of Rotary International, which is to develop ethical leaders and engaged global citizens.”To student delegates, she reminded that this year’s focus will place them at the heart of how a nation shapes trade and development,  and urged  them to practice ethical leadership - by  balancing economic growth with social responsibility – to ensure that decisions benefitted people and communities, not just markets.“I encourage you to see your Model UN experience not as an end, but a beginning. So, engage critically, debate responsibly, collaborate intentionally and as you negotiate trade rules, remember that when young leaders commit to ethical cooperation and fair trade, they help to shape a more stable and inclusive  and prosperous world."  Barbados’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Ambassador Matthew Wilson, was the Featured Speaker for the first training session. Reflecting on his career of  over 20 years in trade and development nationally and globally, Ambassador Wilson underscored the importance of always being prepared, finding your passion and not being afraid to fail. He also encouraged students to speak up, and to push past their personal fears and the opinions of others. “My biggest message for  you this morning is over these next  couple of weeks when you are here  - I want all of you to have a voice and to use it, to have a perspective,  an opinion and to have a view. Standing on the fence is not necessarily a view. Feel comfortable and confident to have an opinion, to have supporting evidence for that opinion, and to be passionate about that opinion. But, more importantly, be brave enough to change that opinion if you have evidence to the contrary.” With career aspirations that ranged from finance to nursing, law, architecture and international relations, among other areas, students were keen to roll up their sleeves and get to work. They welcomed the opportunity to improve their public speaking skills, to learn how to  listen, disagree respectfully, and learn from each other. Tej Thomson, a student at The Codrington School, who received positive feedback about the programme from past participants, said he was keen to develop his diplomatic skills and gain insight into international trade. “I want to go into a career in finance, so I am very intrigued about how trade impacts the financial  situation of a country. That is my main interest and I expect this to be a  little difficult at times, but I expect it to be overall fun and informative." For Tia Frew, a student at  The Lodge School and an aspiring nurse, this will be her second year on the programme, and she hopes to build on her previous experience. “ I am so excited to be here [again], this is shaping my  future in terms of how I speak, and how I look at the world. If one country is affected, all of us are affected. All of us as human beings need to be aware. The more aware you are you can make a change and be a part of that change in the world,"   President of Rotary Barbados, Jeff Evelyn, President of Rotary Barbados West, Andre Wharton, and President of Rotary Barbados South, Jacqueline Broome also delivered remarks, and offered critical guidance to the students, during the official launch.The MUN training sessions are slated to run until February 28 and will culminate with a grand finale on March 7th, 2026.   

Reaffirming its commitment to inclusive development, peacebuilding, and human rights, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, has successfully concluded a series of Civil Society Organization (CSO) Engagement Workshops on Citizen Security, across four Eastern Caribbean countries.The sessions, coordinated in collaboration with national citizen security focal points, the UN Regional Peace and Development Officer and  the Caribbean Policy & Development Centre (CPDC), brought together almost 100 CSO representatives  across Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.“Citizen security is not simply a policy priority. It is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development. Addressing it requires a whole-of-society approach, and civil society organizations are at the heart of this effort,” says UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Simon Springett.The UN head underscored that civil society was an indispensable partner in addressing citizen security challenges through prevention, empowerment, and community-led solutions.Citizen Security as a Development and Human Rights ImperativeAcross all four countries, participants underscored that citizen security extends beyond law enforcement and must be addressed as a development challenge—one that directly affects social cohesion, trust in institutions, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).In this regard, civil society representatives highlighted their unique role as trusted community actors, often serving as the first to identify emerging risks, support vulnerable groups, and advocate for inclusive and rights-based responses. Country-Level HighlightsAntigua and Barbuda In Antigua and Barbuda, CSOs strengthened their capacity in civic responsibility, human rights, violence prevention, and community engagement, while exploring how grassroots initiatives can align with national and regional security frameworks. Discussions emphasized the value of CSO networks, documentation, and collaboration in amplifying community impact and influencing policy. St. Kitts and Nevis The St. Kitts and Nevis engagement brought together nearly 60 CSOs and community leaders, reinforcing a public health approach to crime and violence prevention focused on early intervention, data-driven decision-making, and community partnerships. CSOs shared impactful local experiences in youth mentorship and community-based prevention, calling for greater cooperation, trust-building, and inclusive dialogue with authorities.Grenada In Grenada, a one-day hybrid dialogue placed civil society at the center of discussions on youth violence, community resilience, human rights, and cultural interventions. Government and UN representatives recognized that CSOs bring trust, cultural understanding, lived experience, and innovation, and emphasized the importance of meaningful youth participation. Proposed actions included strengthening early childhood development, establishing a central CSO coordination mechanism, and leveraging arts and culture as tools for education and rehabilitation.St. Vincent and the Grenadines The engagement in St. Vincent and the Grenadines zeroed in on the rising impacts of crime, gender-based violence, and data gaps, while highlighting the importance of prevention, psychosocial support, restorative justice, and community trust-building. During the session, the UN announced a Five-Year CSO Engagement Strategy (2026–2030) aimed at deepening collaboration and improving coordination across the Eastern Caribbean.Shared Regional PrioritiesDespite differing national contexts, CSOs across the four countries identified common priorities, including the need for strengthening data collection and evidence-based advocacy; expanding youth mentorship, skills training, and diversion programmes; integrating gender equality, inclusion, and human rights across all interventions; leveraging culture, arts, and technology as tools for prevention, education, and outreach and building structured partnerships among CSOs, governments, law enforcement, and the private sector.Building on the momentum of these engagements, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office will seek to further advance implementation of its CSO Engagement Strategy (2026–2030) across the Eastern Caribbean. Continued efforts will also support improved coordination, information-sharing, and capacity-building among CSOs; strengthen policy dialogue and data-sharing to ensure community realities inform national strategies and continue promoting inclusive, prevention-focused approaches to citizen security aligned with the SDGs and international human rights commitments.

“God was with us. Anyone in Jamaica who survived this hurricane,  can no longer say God is not real. He was here with us and brought us through.” Judene Brown, Resident  of Westmoreland, Jamaica.  Against the backdrop of the scorching midday sun, Judene Brown looks towards the horizon with gratitude. A solitary tear flows down her cheek bearing the weight of weeks of uncertainty.  She is hopeful. The storm has passed and as time progresses, she sees the promise of renewal.“What you guys are doing  - the effectiveness and the speediness that we saw -  we are so grateful because we were without hope,” she says recounting the horror of the destruction faced in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Melissa – being plunged into darkness, inundated with mosquitoes and frogs, and their home almost completely flooded out.“Most of us were completely flooded out. We had nothing. No clothes, nothing. But the fact that we were able to come together helped …and when we saw that truck, and then more trucks coming,  the more the trucks came , the more we knew that help is coming.”One month post-Melissa, Judene’s family, residents of  Ferris Cross in Westmoreland, are among thousands of Jamaican families still displaced, despite round-the-clock relief efforts of over 90 organizations, including Government, UN and other international and local humanitarian actors,  working to improve coverage in underserved western communities. When Hurricane Melissa struck seven parishes in Jamaica’s western corridor in late October,  it upended lives and livelihoods across of hundreds of families. Homes were destroyed, leaving piles of rubble where memories were once created. Schools ground to a halt, as classroom tables and benches substituted as beds for the homeless. The winds, rain,  and rising waters of Hurricane Melissa swept away practically everything in  their path, crops, electricity poles, businesses, churches, possessions, animals and even vehicles. While portions of the country were flattened, the spirit of community was evident.  Over in Whitehouse, Dale Johnson 72,  looks over the ruins of his furniture workshop, unsure of how or when he may be able to retrieve his tools buried beneath the rubble and start to rebuild. While the workshop that has been established since the 1970s has weathered many storms – he says Hurricane Melissa was different.“We’ve faced many  but never suffered this catastrophic damage yet. Hurricane Beryl tore  off a few zinc (roof sheets)  , but the structure remained but this time,  Hurricane Melissa moved everything!”,  he declared, motioning towards a large 40-foot container that was tossed many yards during the hurricane.“It’s a real setback at this time, so it is going to be low-key Christmas for us,” he added, noting that  five other workers also lost their livelihoods, leaving families in limbo on the eve of the Christmas season.As  one of the fastest growing  and well-established furniture businesses  in the Whitehouse community, Mr. Johnson explained that they worked for a wide area.  He is thankful that many customers were  “sympathizing” with them, and said that once electricity is restored, they would try to protect some of the nearly completed furniture items.For the time being , Mr. Johnson , a divorcee , who also lost his home, is sleeping in an unoccupied concrete structure nearby. He hopes to retrofit a container  to serve as his temporary home.“I don’t know if there is any assistance or any support that can be provided to revive and rebuild. It is a massive undertaking; a lot of debris from the area is dumped here . It also can pose a danger as frivolous persons may come and just light a match and that would be worse. So, we are just hoping  that we might be able to survive  all this and rebuild.”Faith and Family Unity “Everything is chaos at this point, but family unity keeps us together,” Judene says of her close-knit family, that is headed by a strong single mother -  a  diabetic amputee, who she says is “still a fighter.” There is also her God-fearing grandmother who raised she and her younger sister, and her extended family, who are all hunkered down  in the home of the nearest relative that was safe.But this young mother, like most Jamaicans, is resilient. While she smiles through the uncertainty, she desperately wants to rebuild and return to normalcy. At the one-month anniversary of Hurricane Melissa, over 1,100 people remained crowded in 88 emergency shelters island wide, with some displaced households also forced to shelter with relatives, in churches and other informal facilities.Partnering to bring hope Judene and her sister have arrived early at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)/ Water Mission community distribution point, where  World Central Kitchen, a global NGO, is preparing to distribute  their daily hot lunches ( over 1 million meals so far distributed around the country), and UNICEF, in collaboration with Water Mission, is providing clean safe drinking water. She has left her two girls at “home”.With food and safe drinking water no longer a concern,  Judene says given the scorching Jamaican heat,  water storage was now more of a priority.“To be honest with you , the way that it is so hot, we need water. We need big enough containers to store our water because these frogs are slippery and they can creep through surfaces. If I see a frog,  I am done with that water. We need safe containers,” she pleaded.Relief Efforts to Date  Since Hurricane Melissa struck, the spirit of solidarity and resilience has shone across Jamaica, where the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has assisted approximately 103,000 people with emergency food kits and is now transitioning to cash-based transfers  which gives families greater flexibility to meet their needs and helps boost local markets. WFP also supported the expansion of the Jamaica Household Damage, Impact and Needs Assessment helping to conduct gap analyses and map food assistance coverage and integrate findings into broader social protection planning. To date, more than 26,000 households have been assessed. In terms of logistical support , the Agency also helped to strengthen supply chains through the establishment of nine Mobile Storage Units and coordinated the processing of 85 shipments, totalling 2,235 metric tons of food and supplies, via the WFP–CDEMA Control Tower. In partnership with the Emergency Telecommunications Sector, connectivity was restored at 68 sites, including hospitals, benefiting over 24,500 people. These efforts highlight the importance of preparedness, partnerships, and innovation in ensuring timely, life-saving support and reinforcing resilience across the Caribbean. Shelter has also remained a priority with more than 14,000 tarpaulins distributed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), offering protection to families and allowing quick resumption of services at 26 damaged health centres. With more than 279,000 people still displaced, IOM  is recruiting partners to undertake shelter recovery, debris removal and psychosocial support in the four affected parishes and is currently assessing community centres that could be upgraded to emergency shelters, in support of government's move to resume school in January.  In the days after Hurricane Melissa, access to clean water became a lifeline for families trying to regain a sense of normalcy. UNICEF , working closely with Water Mission International, moved quickly to set up treatment points where water could be safely processed and then trucked into surrounding communities. Across Westmoreland, 20 distribution sites were established, equipped with storage tanks and standpipes to ensure that households could collect water close to home. To help families store it safely, UNICEF provided 2,500 jerrycans and 6,000 buckets, along with 60 large 1,000-gallon tanks for communities and institutions. Together with Water Mission International and Global Support Development, the team delivered more than 980,000 litres of safe drinking water to households and health facilities. Thanks to coordinated efforts with the government, more than 80 per cent of national water systems are now back online, and assessments are underway to identify the schools and health centres that will receive support to rebuild their WASH infrastructure. Amid ongoing uncertainty, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) partnered with the Ministry of Health and Wellness to help restore health services as well as  hope. In the initial days and weeks following the storm, PAHO coordinated 12 emergency medical teams, alongside the Ministry of Health and Wellness, providing care through over 6,483 consultations , 226 admissions,  and 78 major  and 139 minor surgeries.  A total of 19 live births symbolized resilience itself , despite the storm’s destruction. Health facilities bore the brunt of Melissa’s fury. Of the 101 primary health care centres in the most affected parishes, 58 sustained major damage. Together with the government , regional health authorities, and NGOs, PAHO is reinforcing emergency repairs to these centres and 5 hospitals, ensuring continuation of care even in the most devastated areas. Beyond the visible destruction, PAHO also strengthened disease surveillance and expanded laboratory capacity for leptospirosis, ensuring rapid confirmation of diagnosis and treatment before disease spread.  Beyond the provision of immediate relief including food shelter , water and health system strengthening , the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other  partners in the Protection Sector , are also supporting the Government to ensure that the needs of children, women, girls, persons with disabilities, the elderly  and  are other vulnerable groups are met, and that they are protected from exploitation and abuse, given their heightened risk during disasters.  “Coordination continues to be central to the relief efforts”, says UN Resident Coordinator, Dennis Zulu, who has lauded the leadership of the Government of Jamaica, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), with strong support from UN OCHA. He also praised the ongoing collaboration between relevant Government Ministries and Agencies, the JDF, which remains central to distribution efforts,  and other UN Agencies and local and international partners.“Across all these efforts, the UN coordination system has worked hand-in-hand with the ODPEM and relevant Ministries, ensuring that assistance is data-driven, needs-based and nationally led. This partnership remains central to collective recovery,”  Mr. Zulu maintained.The Road AheadAs Jamaica is already turning its gaze toward recovery, with the strong support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and several other agencies. Clearing debris, helping small businesses get back on their feet, and providing cash support to families are just the beginning. Recovery, Mr. Zulu says, will require everyone—government, all 22 UN agencies, private sector, civil society, and the communities themselves—working side by side.Transitioning from crisis to rebuilding is daunting, but hope endures. Judene draws strength from her faith and the values passed down by her grandmother. She speaks for many.“You showed up, without any strings attached, and we’re grateful for that  – thank you. We will get through this.” Her words echo the gratitude and resilience that will carry Jamaica forward, together, into the future.