BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | AUG 10, 2022

Donors (Canada, EU and the USA Representatives) and partners breaking ground at the site of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence. Pictured (L-R) Chargé d affaires, Canadian High Commission to Barbados, Marthe Lemay; Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Barbados, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska; Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda S. Taglialatela; Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley; Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley; Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams; and Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley (A. Hinds/BGIS)

Barbados has been chosen as the home of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, speaking at the launch/groundbreaking ceremony at Perimeter Road, Christ Church, this morning, expressed thanks to the World Food Programme for “having the confidence in our nation to be able to choose us to be that place” in which to have its Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence located.

The Prime Minister noted that with the increase in natural disasters as a result of climate change, the disruptions to supply chains due to COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine, it was necessary to have logistical systems in place to assist countries in the event of natural disasters, whether this was with food, security, personal protective equipment, or any other kind of assistance necessary.

“Without food and without security, in the aftermath of a natural disaster, you have a national security problem within 24 hours.  Without security and without access to food and water, you have a national security problem within 24 hours.  Barbados is therefore ideally placed to be able to ensure with the help of the World Food Programme and CDEMA that we can provide that geographical location from which you can reach multiple countries both in the Caribbean island chains and coastal Latin America, in no time at all,” Ms. Mottley stated.

The Prime Minister added that she believes Barbados has a responsibility within the sub-region to play its part as a premier logistics hub, given its geographical location, and as such the housing of the WFP Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence represents a step in that direction. 

Ms. Mottley declared: “Barbados, therefore, has to embrace in my view, with great passion, the ability to be the logistics hub for maritime and air movement, for security for commerce and trade, for travel and cruise in a way that we’ve never holistically done before.  

“And, if we recognise the advantage that geography has given us, even down to where we are on the island chain, to the passage of systems, then we understand that we have a solemn obligation to literally make this an integral industry in our country, so that our citizens can benefit; but so that we can also do regional and global good, while our citizens benefit.”

It was noted that with the WFP’s logistics hub located here, the benefits would redound, way beyond its purpose of being able to save lives, to not only Barbados but the sub-region.

While stating she looked forward to a long and rewarding relationship between Barbados, the World Food Programme and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Prime Minister Mottley also commended the donor countries who made the logistics hub and centre of excellence possible, including the United States of America, the European Union, and Canada. 

WFP Breaks Ground For Regional Logistics Hub

Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, noted that the establishment of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence would be of great benefit to Small Island Developing States like Barbados. (A. Hinds/BGIS)

Following the signing of a land agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) last Friday, the WFP held a ground breaking ceremony today at the site where its Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence in Barbados would be located.

Addressing the ceremony at Perimeter Road, Christ Church, Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, whose Ministry was instrumental in coordinating the details on behalf of the Government of Barbados, expressed gratitude to those who brought it to this stage.

He noted that the establishment of the facility was being made possible through a collaborative partnership between the United Nations World Food Program, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA), and the Government of Barbados.

Minister Abrahams stated: “This facility will be the first of its kind in the region and will serve as a central location for the facilitation of coordinated efforts and responses in the event of emergencies [and] natural disasters. The facility is a welcome addition for Barbados and the Caribbean region and will provide appropriate warehousing and training solutions focusing on the enhancement of the Caribbean’s emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.”

He added that its establishment would also be of great benefit to Small Island Developing States like Barbados, not only enhancing emergency response efforts but ensuring “a more proactive approach to disaster preparedness and response”.

The proposed state-of-the-art facility, which will be located on lands belonging to the Grantley Adams International Airport, will consist of three zones responsible for training and response, storage and operations, and surge capacity.  The 2500 meters square temperature-controlled warehouse is designed for multifunction use with racking systems for efficient logistics with interfaced warehouse management and customs operations.

Executive Director of the WFP, David Beasley, in his remarks, highlighted that when earthquakes, hurricanes and cyclones hit, the WFP comes in not just with food, but the strategic emergency equipment necessary to set up systems so that emergency and first responders could do their job quickly. 

Mr. Beasley stressed: “Every minute and every hour matters …  and the more that we can do in preparation, the more lives we will save and the more money we will save when we can preposition supplies….”

Executive Director, CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, also noted the importance of a timely response in times of disaster, stating that “when disaster strikes, the delivery of timely relief to impacted populations matters”. 

She further noted that the launch of the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence directly supports the strategic vision of CDEMA and her organisation was committed to working with its partners to build a next-level Regional Response Mechanism aimed at responding to the frequent and complex hazards which affect the CDEMA States, in a timely and efficient manner.

Minister Abrahams, Mr. Beasley and Ms. Riley all expressed thanks to participating donors, the United States of America, the European Union and Canada; and noted that they looked forward to continuing their positive partnerships.