As the Caribbean is one of the regions most impacted by natural hazards, HIV and non-communicable diseases globally, enhancing community resilience will be the primary focus of the Red Cross in the Caribbean over the next two years. IFRC will support Caribbean National Societies (NS) to ensure that communities are organized and prepared for emergencies, resilient to climate change, and can withstand public health challenges. The Caribbean Office applies an integrated approach to create appropriate linkages between the various initiatives within the countries.
Community resilience represents an opportunity for the Red Cross to recognize the dynamic nature of the underlying vulnerabilities that challenge communities. The IFRC’s approach combines humanitarian concern for imminent threats with longer-term, sustainable approaches and institutional strengthening. With an increased ability to adapt and cope with disasters and crises, communities can build on development gains that they have already made and address underlying vulnerabilities.
As resilience includes flexibility in the face of changing risks and climate change is increasingly influencing risk patterns everywhere, climate change is an integral element of the IFRC’s Global Framework for Community Resilience.
The Country Cluster Support Team (CCST) will continue collaborating with partners both in and outside of the Movement, implementing joint programs aligned with the community resilience agenda and forging new relationships with regional and international agencies to maximize the support provided to vulnerable communities.
In health, there will be a focus on prevention of vector-borne diseases, comprehensive non-communicable disease (NCD) prevention, HIV/AIDS and STIs, and revamping the Caribbean Health Network. Migration has also forced Caribbean Red Cross Societies to examine how they can support vulnerable migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.