"I know this reality personally. I went to school, earned my degree, gained certifications, and committed myself to volunteer and professional work. Yet despite all that, I was  shut out because of assumptions about my capabilities. I turned this pain into purpose. " Zinzee Noel, Grenada Growing up in Grenada, Zinzee Noel learned early that people saw her disability before they saw her. Whether in school or in the workplace,  her wheelchair often overshadowed her intellect and work ethic. Born with Arthrogryposis, a congenital condition affecting  muscle development and mobility, Zinzee has always required a wheelchair and mobility aids, but her intellectual capacities have never been limited. At school, Zinzee faced significant challenges, including low expectations from teachers, fewer subject options, and placement in a slower-paced academic classes for accessibility. She and her parents fought to advocate for ramps and basic accessibility throughout her schooling. " I overcame these obstacles through determination, self-teaching, advocacy, and support from inclusive teachers and peers who believed in my abilities,” Zinzee recalls, noting that these experiences strengthened her resilience and fueled her passion for disability advocacy.Despite earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and certifications in fields including digital marketing, creative writing, and graphic design,  she acknowledges that the fight for inclusion is not over. "Too often still , when we walk into a workplace, the equipment we use — whether a wheelchair, a hearing aid, or any other support — becomes the focus, instead of our skills, education, and experience. Doors are closed before we even get the chance to prove ourselves," she explains. As a result, Zinzee’s journey has been one marked by  persistence, adaptation, and continuous learning, in the face of systemic and physical barriers.Joining Forces with the UNIn 2023, committed to fostering a more inclusive future for youth, women  and  people  living with disabilities, Zinzee, then 24 years old,  joined the UN Barbados and Eastern Caribbean’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG), as Grenada’s representative. She is one of more than  40 youth leaders from across the Eastern Caribbean, including young single mothers and indigenous youth, who have served on this youth sounding board, coordinated by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.Resident Coordinator, Simon Springett, says over the past five years  the  UN Team has benefitted immensely from the skills, talents , insights, and enthusiasm of young leaders like Zinzee.  Noting the level of energy and innovation that youth naturally bring to the table, he maintains that greater  youth involvement is needed to drive transformative change. "Our youth are our present and our future, and it  is clear that we have only scratched the surface of what youth can offer to governments and international institutions. There is need for greater youth involvement in shaping their future,"  Mr. Springett emphasizes.Through their participation in YAG, members have gained greater exposure to regional and global development processes, strengthened their leadership and advocacy skills, and built confidence to engage in  high-level policy spaces. Many, including  Zinzee, have represented their countries at international forums such as the UNESCO Global Forum Against Racism and Discrimination, ECOSOC youth forum, High-Level Political Forum, and the SDG Summit in New York. Several have also been nominated to serve on international youth entities, and they have become more active in national and regional policy dialogue and community development. As she embarks on her third term, as part of the  5th YAG cohort, Zinzee credits the UN with providing her with visibility, credibility, and access to global conversations on inclusion, human rights, and youth leadership.“My partnership with the UN has helped me think beyond individual advocacy and toward systemic change, especially in education, employment, and policy,” she  says,  The HireAbility Campaign – from a personal goal to regional vision In December 2025, as part of  the UN’s  Disability Inclusion Strategy   the Resident Coordinator’s Office partnered  with Zinzee to launch the ‘HireAbility Campaign’, an initiative focused on inclusive workplaces and hiring practices. She  describes the UN partnership on this campaign , which was her brainchild,  as “one of the most meaningful outcomes of this journey.”“What began as a small personal goal - an idea to host a workshop on inclusive hiring -  became a real program that brought attention to disability inclusion in employment, a topic deeply connected to my lived experiences,” Zinzee explains.The first phase of the ‘HireAbility Campaign’ began in  December 2025, featuring  a series of ‘Power Portraits on social media. These portraits highlighted outstanding employees with disabilities who are driving change in their workplaces and communities, aiming to shift the narrative from disability to ability  and from barriers to opportunities. The subsequent phases of the Hireability Campaign will be rolled out in coming months and expected to feature other advocacy initiatives including testimonials from employers who have successfully hired persons with disabilities and videos showcasing persons with disabilities on the job, with the support of private sector partners.    “Seeing my vision come to life reinforced my passion for creating equitable opportunities for persons with disabilities and showed me the impact that youth-led advocacy can have when supported by international networks like the UN,” Zinzee says. Through powerful portraits, employer testimonials, stories of real people living and working with dignity, and private sector internships, the HireAbility Campaign  seeks to demonstrate that people with disabilities are defined by their talent, contribution, and potential – not by equipment or limitations.“This is not a plea for sympathy. It is a call for recognition. It is a reminder that ability comes in many forms — and when given the chance, it rises higher than any bias,” Zinzee asserts.A positive future awaitsToday, Zinzee is  boldly challenging long‑held assumptions about disability, dismantling stereotypes,  and insisting on the kind of representation she once struggled to find. She is guided by the belief that inclusion is not a favor but a right, and that “disability doesn’t make us less—doubt does.” These convictions shape her advocacy, leadership, and life, reminding her that her wheelchair does not limit her possibilities but carries her toward them.

“When I lost my job after the hurricane, all I could do was cry. As a single mother, I worried every day about how to feed my children and send them to school. This cash assistance came at the right time because I had nothing left,” shared Trician Ellis, recalling the weeks after Hurricane Melissa tore through her community.Before the storm, Trician worked in the tourism sector as a steward, a job she loved and depended on to support her four children. But when the hotel where she worked suffered heavy damage, operations shut down indefinitely, and like many others in Jamaica’s tourism belt, she was suddenly unemployed.At the time, Trician was living with her mother, caring for her children under one roof. The hurricane had ripped sections of the roof away, flooded the inside of the house, and destroyed most of their belongings, including the additional bathroom she was slowly building onto her mother’s home. With no income and a damaged home, the days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty.“There were nights I didn’t sleep,” she said. “I kept wondering what I was going to do. How would we eat? How would my children go back to school?”A First Hot Meal and a Moment of ReliefWhen Trician received cash assistance, the burden eased just enough for her to breathe again. She still remembers the first food she bought for her family, the first hot dish they had since the hurricane.“Curry chicken and dumplings,” she said with a smile. “After weeks of tinned food, it felt like hope.”Even in the midst of her own hardship, Trician’s instinct was to care for others. With only a small amount of food and limited resources, she still prepared extra plates for neighbours who were struggling just as much as she was. “If I had it, they had it too,” she said. Her generosity, given at a time when she herself had almost nothing, captures the quiet strength and resilience found across so many Caribbean women.Her actions show a simple truth: when you empower a woman, you empower an entire community. The support she received through cash assistance not only restored dignity and stability for her own family,  it also created a ripple effect, allowing her to help the people around her. In moments of crisis, women like Trician become anchors of stability, care, and hope, holding communities together even when the storm has passed, but recovery is still far from complete.Meeting Needs and Restoring DignityThe cash assistance helped Trician buy food, school supplies, and hygiene items, many of the basic things she could no longer afford after losing her job. It allowed her to make decisions based on her family’s actual needs, restoring a sense of control at a time when everything else felt fragile.Looking Ahead with StrengthToday, while the road to full recovery is still long, Trician is doing everything she can to rebuild for her children. She hopes to return to work once the tourism sector in her area recovers, and she continues to support her neighbours whenever she can.“This help didn’t just feed us,” Trician said. “It helped me stand again.”Through the invaluable support of donors such as CERF, as well as contributions from partners including Bank of America, the Government of Canada, ECHO, FCDO, Flex/Twilio.org, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), and the United States Government, the Hurricane Melissa Cash Assistance Programme was able to reach families like Trician’s ; ensuring they could meet their immediate needs and begin the path to recovery with dignity.

Kingstown, 24 February, 2026: During February’s Month of Love, United Nations (UN) agencies in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, together with the Government and local NGOs, have launched intensified efforts to raise public awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promote safer sexual practices across communities.Recognizing that February’s celebration of love often coincides with increased sexual activity, the UN team in collaboration with partners from the Network of NGOs and the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy, used this period to amplify education, encourage testing, and reinforce prevention messaging in support of national health goals.  The coordinated effort combined school-based engagement with community outreach to ensure that accurate information and essential services reach both young people and the wider public.  More than forty students gleaned current information on STI risks and symptoms, prevention strategies, and safer sexual practices, during an interactive sensitization session at the Campden Park Technical Institute. They also accessed testing, treatment, and support services available through the Ministry’s Health Security Unit.  Community-level outreach was further strengthened through a health fair in Mesopotamia, held under the theme “Know. Act. Support.” The residents, who welcomed the initiative, benefitted from talks on STI and HIV awareness, branded messaging, educational materials as well as condom distribution. Camille John, Nutritionist with the Marriaqua Health District, emphasized the fair's importance given the rising prevalence of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.“We are seeing an increase in both communicable and non-communicable diseases, and while we have continued our education efforts, the numbers remain concerning. This is why initiatives like the ‘Love Thine Self’ Health Fair, which focuses on interactive learning and practical engagement, are so important—they create meaningful opportunities for individuals to better understand their health and take proactive steps toward self-care.” La Fleur Quammie, UN Country Coordination Officer for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, further noted the UN's partnership in helping to  increase awareness and reduce risks.  “During the month of love, February, we anticipate heightened sexual activity, which means that there is an increased risk of intimate partner violence and gender-based violence. As UN partners, our aim is to play our part in helping to reduce these  risks. Additionally, through partnerships with the Ministry of Health and civil society, we are increasing awareness to reduce the rate of sexually transmitted infections," she said.  Collectively, the February outreach seeks to contribute to stronger public understanding of sexual and reproductive health, reduced STI transmission and unintended pregnancies, and foster increased uptake of testing services. Strategic guidance and promotional support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) further strengthened the initiative, aligning national action with the global commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  Philcol Jeffers, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Gender and Youth Specialist, outlined the overarching vision guiding these efforts. “ We hope to help create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. This is why we are supporting the government to ensure that adequate policies are in place, “ he said.  Through strengthened collaboration between government, civil society partners  and the United Nations, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines continues to expand access to sexual and reproductive health information, supporting healthier communities and sustained progress toward national and global development goals.  

For years, Donna has stood by the roadside in Middle Quarters, Jamaica, selling pepper shrimp which is a beloved delicacy synonymous with the area. Her stall was more than a business; it was a lifeline, a way to feed her family and carry forward a tradition that has made Middle Quarters famous across the island.But when Hurricane Melissa struck, everything changed.“I couldn’t buy shrimp, I couldn’t store anything, and nobody had money to buy,” Donna recalled. With her stock gone and sales at a standstill, her livelihood was suddenly out of reach. The hurricane’s impact went beyond her stall. Middle Quarters sits just after Holland Bamboo, a stretch of road once lined with towering bamboo arches that formed a natural cathedral and drew tourists from near and far. Visitors would stop to admire the bamboo, then continue on to Middle Quarters to taste its legendary pepper shrimp. After Melissa, Holland Bamboo was destroyed. The tourists stopped coming, and with them went the steady stream of customers Donna relied on.For Donna, the disaster was not just about lost shrimp, it was about lost culture, lost tourism, and lost opportunity.That’s why receiving cash assistance from WFP was more than relief; it was a chance to rebuild. “When I got the money, I was so happy,” she said. “I could buy food for my home, but I could also buy shrimp again and start selling.”With the support, Donna restocked her stall, returned to the roadside, and slowly began to restore what the hurricane had taken away. “This helped me restore my life,” she said. “I’m very thankful.” Donna’s story shows the multilayered impact of disasters: how they disrupt livelihoods, erase cultural landmarks, and cut off communities from the flow of visitors and income. But it also highlights the power of cash assistance to restore dignity, choice, and hope.For Middle Quarters, pepper shrimp remains a symbol of resilience. And for Donna, it is proof that even after devastation, traditions can endure, livelihoods can be restored, and life can begin again.The Hurricane Melissa Cash Assistance Programme was made possible through the support from private and public partners including: Bank of America, The Government of Canada, CERF, ECHO, FCDO, Flex/ Twilio In, IDB and United States Government and others.