The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation and the Environment, together with the Directorate of Gender Affairs and the National Office of Disaster Services, have joined hands to extend care packages to individuals from vulnerable communities who have been affected by the recent natural disasters that have been tormenting the country.

This initiative, which was conceptualized by the Directorate of Gender Affairs with additional technical support from NODS, aims to offer additional assistance to individuals who were impacted by severe widespread flooding and property damage caused by Storms Philippe and Tammy in October.

The entire project is being implemented in collaboration with the UNDP, and is funded by Global Affairs Canada and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO).

This activity falls under the Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) Project, which was established to further integrate gender equality and human rights-based approaches into climate change, disaster risk reduction and environmental management intervention.

The funds that were allocated will be utilized to support food response for 100 individuals living in Antigua and Barbuda.

These individuals belong to communities and segments of society that are particularly vulnerable with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation, and to facilitate post-disaster recovery.

The packages will be distributed among survivors of gender-based violence through the Support and Referral Centre (SARC), persons living with disabilities, vulnerable individuals from flood-prone communities that were identified through the NODS Shelter Management system, and to vulnerable individuals living on Barbuda.

This initiative is a significant step towards providing aid and support to those affected, and is a testament to the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.