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Jessica Byrona, Jacqueline Laguardia Martinezb, Annita Montouteb and Keron NilesbaDirector, Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West Indies; bLecturer, Institute of International Relations, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, West IndiesABSTRACTCOVID-19 has further weakened the fragile socio-economic fabric of the Commonwealth Caribbean (CC). Economies have been stifled by ‘lockdowns’, and by a global decline in travel and tourism. The result has been higher levels of indebtedness, unemployment and psychological stress, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations throughout the region. Despite their limited size and resources, CC states have sought to support business and individuals…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): The Coronavirus pandemic has threatened many aspects of human life, and food security is no exception. Through sustainable agriculture, farmers can provide a constant supply of healthy nutritious food, be it meat or fruits and vegetables for public consumption. This was made evident on ‘Working for You’ on Wednesday, February 24, which focused on the theme, Sustainable Agriculture in Challenging times.Ian Chapman, Crops Programme Leader in the Department of Agriculture, stated, “A sustainable agricultural support approach to our ministry will ensure and make our food system more productive. The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged our…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, expressed thanks and appreciation to several international partners for their generous donation of an ambulance to the Ministry of Health, and a passenger bus to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) that were handed over during a brief yet significant ceremony on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at the Joseph Nathaniel France (JNF) General Hospital. The vehicles, which were donated by the Government of the United States of America through its Agency for International Development (USAID) with assistance from the International Federation…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2020 (RSCNPF): Training for additional members of the Compliance and Quarantine Task Force got underway at the Police Training School on Monday, February 22, 2021. About thirty (30) persons are participating in the two-week training course. It is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. Sessions will cover a variety of topics including the Quarantine Act, customer service, report writing, giving evidence, self-defence and use of force, ethics in law enforcement, risk management and managing quarantine sites. Force Personnel Officer, Clifford Govia, explained to the participants that National Security is the primary responsibility of…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS), has partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to present the Ministry of Health with a fully equipped ambulance on February 24, 2021, at the JNF General Hospital grounds. Dr. Delores Stapleton Harris, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health stated that the donation is a critical addition to the fleer of ambulances and will aid in the country’s emergency services. “This is indicative of a significant investment by the USAID as…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, expressed profound thanks to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS), who has partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for delivering a brand new ambulance to the Ministry of Health on February 24, 2021, at the JNF General Hospital grounds.“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): Herd Immunity refers to resistance to the spread of an infectious disease within a population that is based on pre-existing immunity of a high proportion of individuals as a result of previous infection or vaccination. In the case of COVID-19, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris said that based on research by health experts, vaccinating a large portion of St. Kitts and Nevis’ population can assist in achieving herd immunity. “When we vaccinate enough of our population, we achieve our goal of reaching what the medical fraternity refers to as herd immunity or what…

Brasilia, 24 February 2021 (IICA). During an interview with the program Agro América, broadcast by Brazilian TV channel AgroMais, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Argentina, Luis Basterra, stated that “now is the time to determine who is responsible for the economic component of environmental services that benefit the entire planet and whose preservation must not hamper the development of countries that need them the most”. “To advance towards an equitable world, we must engage in serious, in-depth discussions regarding how to financially support the preservation of ecosystems such as the Amazon or the Gran Chaco Americano”, stated…

Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): After the successful launch of the National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme on February 22, 2021, Dr. Delores Stapleton Harris, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, said that full and effective implementation of the plan will rely on a good governance structure, given the range of responsibilities, personnel, and the responsiveness that will be demanded as the programme rolls out. “In fact, we recognize the need to augment and support existing structures for the implementation of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme,” she said on ‘Leadership Matters’ television programme on Tuesday, February 23, 2021.  Dr. Stapleton Harris added…

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris and local medical experts continue to advocate for citizens and residents to accept the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine when it becomes available to them free of cost. Speakingon last night’s (Tuesday, February 23) edition of Leadership Matters, Prime Minister Harris reminded nationals and those tuned in to the popular programme that St. Kitts and Nevis has a highly commendable record of vaccination. “A number of vaccination programmes come readily to mind. Measles, Mumps and Rubella; Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough)…