O-01 Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness and Response via CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project

Methods: The executing agency, CARPHA, via the Pandemic Fund (PF) – the first multi-lateral financing mechanism for strengthening PPR and addressing critical gaps in low- and middle-income countries, is implementing a 3-year project with the Inter-American Development Bank (implementing entity). With CARPHA’s mandate for Surveillance and Emergency and Response in the Caribbean, a dedicated CARPHA PF Project Execution Unit is supported at the policy, strategy and operational levels for the project’s implementation across its four components.

Results: From May 10 – December 17, 2024: (i) Cricket World Cup Surveillance and Response activities (3 capacity building missions, design and implementation of Mass Gathering Surveillance System, 30 data-entry tablets, incountry support to 6 MS across 55 games with 34 daily regional and 204 daily country reports), (ii) emergency and response supplies for Hurricane Beryl-impacted MS (fogging machines, rapid tests, vector control/prevention, sanitizing agents and protective equipment), (iii) 4 regional/ sub-regional workshops (Stakeholder Consultation on the PF, One Health Workshop on Foodborne Diseases and Zoonoses Surveillance, Infectious Substances Transport, Early Action Reviews of Outbreaks [7-1-7 Approach]) and (iv) mass gathering surveillance mission to 1 MS. Laboratory equipment, supplies and reagents have been procured; partnerships with regional and international entities were strengthened.

Conclusion: CARPHA PF project would lend crucial impetus to PPR activities, resulting in a comprehensive and sustainable expansion of surveillance and EWS, laboratory systems, workforce development and the integrated One Health approach. Collectively, these would enable the Caribbean region and countries to be better equipped, prepared for and prevent future disease threats or outbreaks and possible pandemics.