The support of the Pandemic Fund The Caribbean is characterized by small populations with highly interconnected countries and porous borders. When you add the tropical climate to these factors, the region becomes particularly vulnerable to the risk of disease outbreaks due to their rapid spread. This was evident during the spread of COVID-19: its transmission to all … [Read more...] about How the Caribbean prepares for future pandemics
Health
A Shot in Time Saves Nine: The Caribbean Must Get Vaccinated
In this blog, guest contributor and medical doctor, David Walcott explores issues surrounding Covid-19 vaccination in the Caribbean. Vaccination is one of humanity’s most powerful tools in the fight against disease and disability, and has been around since the 1800s when the first vaccine was developed, contributing to global eradication of smallpox. Since then, … [Read more...] about A Shot in Time Saves Nine: The Caribbean Must Get Vaccinated
When Facing a Black Swan, Let’s Work Together
COVID-19 in Barbados is proving to be a perfect example of what Nassim Nicholas Taleb termed a “black swan”. It is a rare event, with an extreme impact and which, in retrospect, could have been predicted. As discussed in our latest Caribbean Quarterly Report July 2020, the pandemic reached Barbados in March 2020 and has since been putting both lives and livelihoods at stake in … [Read more...] about When Facing a Black Swan, Let’s Work Together
Coronavirus and the Caribbean: economic implications and options
IDB member countries in the Caribbean are feeling the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The lifeblood of tourism has stopped flowing to The Bahamas, Barbados and Jamaica. Falling commodity prices are impacting Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. All are grappling to control a public health crisis that is straining human and financial resources. IDB experts … [Read more...] about Coronavirus and the Caribbean: economic implications and options
COVID-19: Tourism-Based Shock Scenarios for Caribbean Countries
The COVID-19 outbreak could have considerable implications for Caribbean citizens and their economies. The magnitude of this impact will depend crucially on the spread of the virus, the duration of the outbreak, and measures countries in the region and elsewhere undertake to insulate themselves. It will also have much to do with country economic structures—particularly tourism … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Tourism-Based Shock Scenarios for Caribbean Countries