Saint Lucia is advancing efforts to ensure vulnerable households receive timely support during disasters following a three-day workshop focused on strengthening shock-responsive social protection systems.
Held from July 8-10, the stakeholder workshop forms part of the European Union–Caribbean Resilience Programme (EU-CA-RES), a regional initiative funded by the European Union and implemented with UNICEF, WFP, UNDP and UNDRR.
Representatives from the Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the Ministry of Finance, the Treasury Department, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services and other key agencies participated in sessions focused on reviewing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that will guide relevant stakeholders in delivering financial assistance and social protection support when disasters arise.
World Food Programme (WFP) Programme Policy Officer and workshop facilitator Elisaveta Gouretskaia noted that Saint Lucia has made notable progress in developing its anticipatory action mechanisms. She further expressed that “it is very encouraging to see that many stakeholders are on board and already sensitized, but we also see a need for stronger sensitization of the population and further testing of these processes through simulations to ensure they work effectively in practice.”
Director of Social Transformation in the Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons, Tanzia Toussaint noted that “this process is helping Saint Lucia build a stronger and more responsive social protection system. By working closely with our national partners, we are strengthening the mechanisms needed to identify and support vulnerable households before disasters occur and to provide timely assistance when communities are affected. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that no one is left behind during times of crisis.”
The workshop allowed stakeholders to assess the readiness of the systems being developed, identify areas for improvement and strengthen coordination among agencies responsible for disaster preparedness and response. Participants also examined measures that can be activated ahead of disasters, alongside post-disaster assistance mechanisms to aid recovery. Discussions addressed improving data management, household verification processes and public communication to ensure support reaches those most in need.