CARICOM-PAHO Climate Change and Health Project
The Caribbean region is currently facing significant disruptions to its physical, biological, and economic systems due to the impacts of climate change. To address these challenges, the EU CARIFORUM Climate Change and Health Project, officially titled "Strengthening Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean," was launched to empower regional action. This initiative is funded by a €7M grant from the European Union and is being implemented over a 60-month period to benefit 16 CARIFORUM Member States and Cuba.
The primary goal of this project is to improve the capacity of Caribbean nations to reduce the negative health impacts of climate change. By utilizing a One Health approach within the framework of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health Phase IV (CCH IV), the program aims to reduce mortality and morbidity resulting from extreme weather, food and water insecurity, and heat-related illnesses. This collaborative effort brings together key regional partners, including PAHO/WHO, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the University of the West Indies (UWI).
The project is structured around four critical components designed to build long-term resilience:
Estimating Health Benefits: Implementation teams are adapting PAHO/WHO tools to help selected countries calculate the health co-benefits of climate mitigation policies.
National Adaptation Plans: The project supports countries in preparing and publishing comprehensive Health Chapters in National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) to ensure climate-health priorities are integrated into national policy and financing.
Climate-Informed Surveillance: Efforts are underway to strengthen inter-sectoral surveillance systems that monitor environmental determinants of health, such as heat and water quality, alongside climate-sensitive diseases like dengue and foodborne illnesses.
Leadership Development: A core focus is creating an interdisciplinary cadre of Caribbean leaders through initiatives like the Climate Change and Health Leaders Fellowship Program, which trains professionals to advocate for the One Health approach at high policy levels.
By 2025, the project aims to have multiple countries utilizing integrated surveillance reports and comprehensive health strategies to protect their populations. Recent milestones, such as the Dominican Republic’s launch of its Health and Climate Change Adaptation Plan in March 2026, demonstrate the ongoing progress toward achieving a more resilient and sustainable Caribbean. This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically focusing on good health, clean water, climate action, and regional partnerships
