US$29m UN plan to help region

The United Nations (UN) is helping Barbados and several other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to respond positively to the shocks created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Multi-Sectoral Response Plan, valued US$29.7 million, was rolled out yesterday by the UN’s Resident Coordinator for the Eastern Caribbean, Didier Trubecq, for an audience that included the Prime Minister of Antigua and chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Senator Jerome Walcott.

Trubecq said the time was right for the UN to play the part of a global development partner, especially since the coronavirus had wreaked havoc in SIDS in this part of the world, and shocks would be paid attention to at this time of the year with the hurricane season upcoming.

“The Eastern Caribbean countries can count on the UN’s support to lobby the international community for international solidarity for the needs of eastern Caribbean SIDS to be given the highest priority,” Trubecq said. “The fund is the UN’s effort to support countries in fostering international solidarity and help mobilise financial resources to meet some of their needs for over the next eight months.” (BA)

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