United Nations in Suriname

In the last few months, aerial landscape images have captured square and round sandy pits dug by rural and indigenous farmer communities. They have been taking part in the first-ever soil tests carried out along the country’s small but vibrant pineapple belt. “Pineapple is a fruit that the Indigenous people produce for centuries for their own consumption,” notes Gladys Kabelefodi, who has been Captain of Philipusdorp in the country’s Para district for the last ten years. “The knowledge the farmers got from their ancestors. Currently you have farmers that produce for the local market.” The results taken from samples of the topsoil and bottom soil up to 20-40 cm deep are allowing farmers to make the link between understanding the soil’s fertility and the potential for boosting organic pineapple production in the country. A project under the global Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA) programme co-led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), is helping Suriname move from being a marginal pineapple producer, using traditional methods, to adopting a competitive business model. The goal is to increase production ten-fold to 20,000 tonnes a year by 2030 for domestic and international markets thanks to an upgrading of Suriname’s pineapple value chain. The project run by FAO, UNIDO, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and with USD 2 million in financing from the UN Joint SDG Fund, is bringing on board not only producers, but also processors, traders, input providers, government ministries, research institutes and financial institutions. In turn, at least USD 10 million a year will be generated from increased fruit and pineapple products and 1,000 new jobs created that will positively impact rural livelihoods. The jobs will span production and processing to trading, inputs supply and support services delivery, with women and young people standing to benefit the most. Growing investments in modern processing to create higher value-added products will lead to Suriname expanding its exports of both fresh and processed organic pineapples. Plus, closer management of the soil quality will lead to stronger environmental protection in the area. Now, as Kabelefodi stresses, “farmers are aware that the pineapple can be a source of income. The soil analysis done by the project is important. So, they can know what the conditions are of their soil and which application is needed to improve the soil fertility to produce better plants and fruits for the local and export market.” Ultimately, the sustainability of organic production all begins with the right soil. Thanks to the test results, farmers in the project districts know the chemical, biological and physical capacity of the soil, currently showing poor soil fertility with low levels of essential nutrients. This is going to help producers follow tailored guidance on how best to prepare the soil, apply organic fertilizer, use microorganisms and adopt soil conservation practices. International pineapple expert and agronomist, Freddy Gamboa Quiros, who has been supervising the soil tests explains “the sandy soils in Suriname have favourable conditions for agricultural development [but] we must work to improve the nutritional quality, increase the organic matter content, and always keep the soil covered with cover crops.” The ambition – which matches all learning under ASTA’s global programme – is to build capacity at country level so that vital tools – starting here with soil analysis – become part of the national system. And to build up agronomist and laboratory capabilities at country level. As of last month, the extensive soil analysis results are being put into practice in new field trials underway in selected pineapple farms in Suriname’s Para and Marowijne districts. August Tawjoeram’s farm in Redi-Doti and Desi Tempo’s farm in Moengotapoe are two of those that will see first-hand just how new management practices for organic pineapple cultivation will impact on three plant varieties. Producers district-wide are now watching the trials closely to see the progress in how the pineapple plants develop, standing ready to apply these new practices in their own plots. “We are developing a crop management plan with the principles developed in other countries but adapted to local conditions” confirms Gamboa Quiros who is rolling out the hands-on training for producers with ASTA project coordinator, Swami Girdhari. The training features step-by-step videos of topics including soil fertility management, seed production and mountain microorganisms, alongside other practical tools and methods. As Gamboa Quiros adds, “we are pleased with the participation of the entire community in all the activities to help us implement and adjust the organic pineapple production model.” Next, trial results will help to develop the upgraded business model and a best practices growers’ manual and to fine-tune agronomic updates sent via the project’s digital platform. Soils are at the foundation of agrifood systems that add up to a USD 5 trillion-strong food and agribusiness industry worldwide, but which can break down under pressure from a wide range of shocks and stresses. The project solutions embedding know-how and capacity for Suriname’s producers to treat soils – in ways not thought of before – are part of a wider transformation of the country’s agrifood system and are building resilience. Other system-based solutions underway include an innovation hub that will provide the latest technical assistance and a guarantee facility to ease access to credit and de-risk investments into the pineapple value chain. And, now the approach has the potential to be scaled up to more value chains in the country and across the region. When it comes to promoting healthy food and a better environment – as highlighted by World Soil Day this 5 December – and, as seen in the efforts that are paying off to grow Suriname’s pineapple production, it starts by digging deep into, and taking care of, the soil. Original article: Digging deep into Suriname’s pineapple belt transformation | UNIDO For more information please contact: Rana Fakhoury, Programme Specialist, ASTA, Food Security and Food Systems Unit, UNIDO
Email: r.fakhoury@unido.org Aimée Kourgansky, FAO Value Chain Development Consultant, FAO
Email: Aimee.Kourgansky@FAO.org

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Drone view of a pineapple field in Cassipora

Press Release

29 September 2022

Launch ceremony of the project “Sustainable Pineapple Value Chain Development” in Suriname

The joint programme, “Sustainable Pineapple Value Chain Development”, part of the “The Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator” (ASTA) co-led by FAO and UNIDO, was developed in close collaboration with the various stakeholders in the pineapple value chain in Suriname. The joint programme will see the four UN agencies, in partnership with development banks and local financial institutions, implement several solutions including an innovation hub to provide cutting edge technical assistance and an innovative guarantee facility to ease access to credit and de-risk investments. In his opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Zulu said: “At the United Nations, we are committed to supporting, to accompanying, and to pioneering new ways of facilitating linkages between value chain actors and service providers, strengthening and institutionalizing knowledge in local institutions, and contributing to a conducive policy environment. But we need to do it together and we certainly cannot do it without each other.” Ms. Lisa Kurbiel, head of the Joint SDG Fund, congratulated Suriname on being successfully selected amongst 10 programmes from 155 proposals received by the Fund after going through a very competitive process. She emphasized “this joint programme offers a unique opportunity to channel SDG-compliant investments into the pineapple value-chain through an innovative collateral facility to ease access to credit and de-risk investments accompanied by cutting edge technical assistance. We also see this joint programme as a model with potential to be scaled to other value chains both in the country and in the region.” His Excellency Albert R. Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation, stressed on the importance of this financial and technical assistance that targets the sustainable development of a value chain that is deeply anchored in the culture of the Indigenous Peoples and other communities. “The success of this program will give our Country access to foreign investment to strengthen the livelihoods of local farmers and Suriname's capacity to export.” His Excellency Chandrikapersad Santokhi, president of Suriname, expressed satisfaction at the launch ceremony of this project and praised the SDG Fund that is in the best position to bridge a gap though a sustainable investment model that leverages the power of markets to empower communities, and support a clear path for farmers to build a rewarding, modern pineapple value chain in Suriname. The president highlighted: "Suriname's pineapple sector is challenged by a lack of modern production, post-harvest handling, and an integrated supply chain. To solve these problems, consideration of all stakeholders is needed. And we are delighted, to count on the UN, as one of our trusted stakeholders.[...] a key component to succeed in this project, is the cooperation of all parties, – if we want to go fast, we will go alone, but if we want to go far, we need to go together.”

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Press Release

09 August 2022

“Protecting Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural expressions as effective levers for sustainable development in Suriname”

Indigenous women also are the educators among many of their peoples, transmitting resource and territory sustainable management knowledge, cultural heritage, and their languages. Language is a key element when implementing literacy programs or designing an educational curriculum. We need to understand and expand our education system to include more Indigenous knowledge that cares for the planet. We also need to invest more in education in Indigenous communities by developing appropriate curricula and inclusive teaching methodologies that meet their specific needs. Indeed, there is a general lack of disaggregated data, admittedly indigenous peoples, especially women, suffer the highest illiteracy rate1 in the population. This has dramatic consequences since it leads to a lack of opportunities in the labour market, limited personal development possibilities, and high levels of rural-urban shift, where they face low wages and discrimination. In most cases, indigenous women are the primary conduit through which the younger generation learns and perpetuates Indigenous languages. Despite accounting for only 6.2 percent of the world’s population, indigenous peoples are the custodians of 4,000 languages. These languages are part of our common human heritage, which we must preserve and cherish. This is why UNESCO, as the lead agency of the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which runs from 2022 to 2032, is working to address the critical status of many indigenous languages around the world, and encourage their preservation, revitalization, transmission and promotion among youth. The link between indigenous knowledge systems, natural sciences and social sciences and policy-making is a key priority for UNESCO in Suriname, Guyana, Belize and the indigenous peoples' landscape of the Caribbean. For example, the UNESCO project "Strengthening the Capacities of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Suriname to Implement the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" deepened dialogue on the relevance and importance of documenting and protecting the intangible heritage of these territories through youth and community-based approaches. The project highlighted the importance of recognizing and identifying living heritage through community-based inventories and developing strategies to pass it on sustainably with the authoritative and full participation of local communities. Strengthening international South-South cooperation through the development and implementation of joint agreements and strategies (Willemstad Declaration) was also one of the main outcomes of the project. Finally, Suriname ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage during the project. Just last month, UNESCO visited Suriname's World Heritage Sites to advise national and local stakeholders on the development of a national strategy for sustainable tourism. On this occasion, UNESCO participated in a traditional meeting, called the Krutu, of the Kwinti tribe -- one of the six indigenous and Maroon communities in Suriname to address the challenges of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve and on ways to develop sustainable tourism strategies and sustainability practices. UNESCO is also developing a trialogue series to mobilize all relevant stakeholders and expand the Indigenous Knowledge-Environmental Sciences-Policy Making interface in the Caribbean. Indeed, we believe it is one of the drivers for leveraging the value of indigenous knowledge in addressing environmental and societal issues, and in complementing the traditional scientific knowledge system. In Suriname, Guyana and Belize, biodiversity and the related ecosystem services are important catalyzers for climate adaptation and regulation, land and forest preservation, provisioning of freshwater resources and disaster risk resilience. Indigenous knowledge systems can help in transitioning towards community-based sustainable green and blue economies in these countries. Indigenous peoples’ issues are an integral part of global concerns. Therefore, we must rally as one humanity for the full participation and enjoyment of Indigenous peoples’ rights, their knowledge systems, languages and cultural riches, through innovative and creative exchanges, in the global endeavor to find sustainable pathways for the living world, for society and for humanity as a whole.

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Story

09 October 2020

Suriname’s climate promise, for a sustainable future

Suriname has become the second nation globally to outline updated plans to fight climate change in the hope of ensuring that any future increase in the temperature of the planet does not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The South American country describes its new national plan as a “cost-effective pathway to decarbonization of substantiable economic development.” But what does this all mean in terms of global efforts to reverse the warming of the planet? Read on for an explanation. What are these plans and why are we hearing about them now? Globally, 196 countries, plus the European Union, originally signed up to the Paris Agreement in 2015 which commits the international community to restrict global warming to “well below 2 degrees Celsius” and aim, if possible, for 1.5C. It’s hoped that these ambitious targets will be met collectively by countries by setting distinct, individual or national goals known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs. These NDCs are a key part of the Paris Agreement and are reviewed and updated every five years by the countries themselves. It’s now 2020, so all countries are expected to declare their amended NDCs. The Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean was the first nation to do so, Suriname is the second. Is Suriname a big emitter of the greenhouse gasses which lead to climate change? No, on the contrary Suriname stated as far back as 2014 that it had a carbon negative economy; that means that any global warming gasses it does produce, are offset by natural resources which absorb those gasses. The South American country is 93 per cent covered by forest, which acts as a massive carbon sink; in other words, all those trees capture, or suck in, harmful carbon dioxide gas removing it from the atmosphere. Less carbon dioxide means less warming. So why is Suriname’s update of its NDCs significant? It’s significant on a number of levels, firstly as a statement that this small country is committed to fighting climate change but also as a reminder to other countries that they too must update their plans if the international community is going to reach the 2 degree Celsius target it agreed on in Paris five years ago. And many of the smaller developing countries and especially island states, or those with low-lying coastal areas, are keen to push forward the new commitments because they are particularly susceptible to climate change, even though they have contributed least to the problem. Suriname has a small population of just over half a million, and thus most infrastructure and economic activity is concentrated along its easily accessible Atlantic coast. This coastal zone has already experienced extensive erosion and has suffered damage from heavy rainfall, flooding, higher temperatures during dry seasons and high winds; the types of natural phenomena (and in some cases disasters) which are expected to worsen with climate change. Do the climate action plans of the world’s poorest countries account for the need for development? Absolutely, in fact all countries, rich and poor, are aiming to develop in a sustainable way by growing their economies and the wealth and social well-being of their citizens while finding ways to reverse climate change and protect the environment. So, when Suriname talks of a “cost-effective pathway to decarbonization of substantiable economic development”, it commits to maintaining the “integrity of natural forest acting as a carbon sink” while diversifying its economy with the aim of creating the conditions for sustainable development. The significant difference between developing and developed countries is that the former, generally don’t have enough money to turn their plans into reality and that’s why richer countries and the private sector are being asked to step in and partner with the poorer countries. Suriname says its “NDC enhancement process” will cost US$696 million. So, what are Suriname’s plans? Suriname’s updated NDCs focus on four key areas; forests, electricity, agriculture and transport. It is committed to maintaining 93 per cent forest cover but says “significant international support is needed for the conservation of this valuable resource in perpetuity.” Sustainable and “clean” electricity is also a priority and in its updated NDCs, Suriname has pledged to “maintain the share of electricity from renewable sources above 35% by 2030.” Agriculture is the cause of 40 per cent of the country’s total emissions but also provides a valuable source of income. At the same time, the sector is strongly impacted by climate change, so Suriname is focusing on the development of climate-smart farming. That includes water resources management, the promotion of sustainable land management; and adopting innovative technologies, for example converting biomass into energy. Transport is another large and growing source of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and plans have been announced to improve public transportation and introduce controls on vehicle emissions. What happens next? It’s hoped and expected that more countries will update their NDCs during 2020 and present them at the next major international climate conference (known as COP26) to be held in Glasgow in the UK in November. The UN Secretary-General António Guterreshas said that “in Glasgow, governments must deliver the transformational change our world needs and that people demand, with much stronger ambition – ambition on mitigation, ambition on adaptation, and ambition on finance.” Ultimately, the meeting should give a clear indication of whether the global community is on track to meet the 2 degrees Celsius target. Read more here how the UN is supporting countries to enhance their NDCs. Find a list of Nationally Determined Contributions registered by Member States. This story was originally published by UN News.

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Story

25 October 2022

A fast-track to sustainable pineapple production for Surinamese farners

Suriname, a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America, is considered the birthplace of pineapples. Although the area of pineapple production is small, the genetic diversity is extraordinary, and the growth potential is significant. Cultivated mainly by the indigenous population living in the Savannah Belt, especially the Lokono (Arawak) and Kaliña (Caraiben) peoples, the pineapple offers great prospects for improving livelihoods – which embodies a potential that the United Nations system is working to unlock. Since 2018, in collaboration with relevant ministries, FAO and UNIDO, in partnership with ILO and UNFPA, have engaged with Surinamese farmers and other stakeholders to analyze the pineapple value chain and facilitate the development of a joint 2030 vision for the sector. There are over 15 unique pineapple varieties currently grown organically in Suriname. This holds huge potential for tapping into export markets. Nevertheless, the project also foresees securing varieties and genetic rights from a legal perspective. It also maps out a certification process to ensure indigenous peoples and other farmers in Suriname do not lose their unique varieties as they grow in popularity. In 2022, the joint programme, "Sustainable Pineapple Value Chain Development," was awarded funding by the Joint SDG Fund. The project comprises various components, such as financing (attracting and de-risking SDG-compliant investments into the pineapple value chain in order to increase productivity and income of smallholder farmers) and more hands-on methods, such as in the form of a Pineapple Innovation Hub (a local foundation will provide tailored agronomic and business support and management services to farmers). In his opening remarks at the project launch, the UN Resident Coordinator ad interim, Dennis Zulu, said: "At the United Nations, we are committed to supporting, to accompany, and to pioneering new ways of facilitating linkages between value chain actors and service providers, strengthening and institutionalizing knowledge in local institutions, and contributing to a conducive policy environment. But we need to do it together and certainly cannot do it without each other." From 'Pineapple Innovation Hub' to market One of the first concrete steps taken by the project has been developing farming training materials for indigenous peoples, building off Costa Rica’s experience in organic pineapple production. The next step has been fostering collaboration with international financial institutions to bring in the necessary finance. The last step is a scientific analysis by FAO of the varieties grown and the soils that produce them to optimize the go-to-market journey of products. The future of pineapple cultivation in the area “will surely continue to grow because I already see more young ones heading in that direction,” says Wendolien Sabajo, Captain of Matta, one of the indigenous peoples’ villages. Suriname's interior regions are underdeveloped and under-serviced, with the population suffering disproportionately from poverty and unemployment. Sustainable agriculture is considered a growth opportunity - and the aim of this project is to increase farmers' income and shift towards a permanent organic farming system. By addressing the financing constraints that have prevented Suriname from seizing the great potential of the pineapple value chain, the country is meant to become a sustainable pineapple producer for the local and international markets. The joint project brings together a wide array of stakeholders - from indigenous communities and organizations, producers, processors, traders, and other input providers to government ministries, village authorities, research and financial institutions and multiple UN entities - and is opening up wider prospects for a unique and sustainable agricultural sector in Suriname. The ultimate goal? To boost pineapple production from the current 2,000 to 3,000 tons a year to 20,000 tons by 2030. The "Sustainable Pineapple Value Chain Development" programme stems from a proposal submitted under The Accelerator for Agriculture and Agroindustry Development and Innovation Plus (3ADI+)*, and was selected from a global pool of submissions from over 100 countries. *3ADI+ has been rebranded to the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA), which is a global program co-led by UNIDO and FAO. It assists countries with accelerating investment in food system transformation to achieve the SDGs, including through the development of value chains, market systems, business models and inclusive finance. Inputs for this piece were taken from UN Suriname, the Joint SDG Fund, UNIDO, and FAO. Compiled and edited by the UN Development Coordination Office. For more information on the work of the United Nations in Suriname, please visit: Suriname.UN.org.

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Indigenous Surinamese woman with harvested pineapple

Story

10 October 2022

PAHO aims to reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health in Suriname

This campaign aims to reduce the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health conditions and to promote positive interactions that improve their health-seeking practices. In Suriname, the Ministry of Health is increasingly prioritizing mental health in its policies and supports and embraces the #DoYourShare campaign. Mental health conditions are prevalent throughout the world and have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a general impact on the entire population. However, the vast majority of people with mental health illnesses do not receive treatment; with marginalized populations and people living in vulnerable conditions facing significant barriers to accessing care. Untreated poor mental health compromises the overall health and well-being of individuals and has broader health and social implications for communities and society. A conversation with Psychologist Maja Heijmans
Leading up to International Mental Health Day and PAHO's #DoYourShare campaign, PAHO Suriname had a conversation with Mrs. Maja Heijmans-Goedschalk. She is a clinical psychologist, President of the Association of Psychologists and Orthopedagogists and co-owner of CARE. Her aim is that mental health services should be accessible to anyone in Suriname who needs them, regardless of income or place of residence. Why is there Stigma around Mental Health in Suriname?
Mrs. Heijmans-Goedschalk: Worldwide, there is stigma surrounding the subject of mental health. Suriname is certainly not excluded in this regard, as people in Suriname are less inclined to talk about their feelings, and especially when they are not doing so well.

What also contributes to the stigma is that when certain generations bring up the subject of mental health, the association is often quickly made with the Psychiatric Hospital (formerly LPI and Wolvenbuttel), which especially used to carry a very negative connotation; perhaps still does now. This is because it used to be that all mental health complaints were treated only by a psychiatrist, and they were employed there. So, if you wanted help, you had to go there.

However, nowadays not every mental health complaint is a case for the psychiatrist, but certain complaints are treated by the psychologist. The stigma surrounding mental health is damaging to us as a population, because a population that is not mentally healthy has negative consequences for crime, such as domestic violence and abuse, suicide rates, the economy and addiction rates. Thus, everyone benefits from a mentally healthy society.

We can reduce this stigma by having a dialogue with each other about mental health in general, but also personally about our own mental health. Furthermore, it helps enormously to provide information about mental health, so that people are more inclined to look up more information when in doubt if someone is in need of help. You, yourself can also ensure that you are well informed by consulting the many educational videos and articles online. What is the situation of Mental Health in Suriname?
Mrs. Heijmans-Goedschalk: In Suriname depressive symptoms are predominant. The suicide rates in Suriname do not lie, we rank 8th worldwide with the number of suicide cases per year compared to our population. In addition, anxiety symptoms are also more common, one of which is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for example. Indeed, there are unfortunately many cases of mistreatment and abuse in domestic situations in society, which can later manifest itself in the form of serious mental health complaints. How does one recognize Mental Health Disorders & what steps should be taken?
Mrs. Heijmans-Goedschalk: As soon as you notice changes in yourself or someone close to you in daily routines and/or mood, and this persists for more than 2 weeks, you may have a mental health complaint. The first step you can then take is to have a conversation with someone close to you whom you trust. For the confidant, try to listen attentively, and not come up with solutions right away. If necessary, you can help the person seek professional help. If you yourself are in doubt as to whether you might need professional help, you can always visit your family doctor, who can then help you or refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Let's create a culture of openness where one feels safe to share how they are feeling. - Mrs. Heijmans-Goedschalk What are the benefits of talking about mental health?
Mrs. Heijmans-Goedschalk: To reduce stigma, one way to help is to make mental health (symptoms) an open topic and normal to speak about. When we see that someone's leg is broken, we usually ask the person how they are doing because we see and notice from the person that the person is in pain. With mental health, that's a little more difficult, because we usually can't tell from someone that they're struggling, that they're in pain. And this is precisely why good in-depth conversations within our environment are very important, for example asking your close friend/relative/colleague how they are REALLY doing. Or contact someone close to you who you know is going through a difficult period, for example after a loss. The more often we can talk to each other about mental health, for example at the dinner table, on balconies, the less taboo this topic becomes. Understanding our emotions and how to recognize them also plays an important role at a young age. As parents, we have a duty to set a good example by also talking about how we feel with our children. Once we create the habit of talking about these topics, we are more likely to find out that many cases that we thought were "far away from us" are actually very close and we can help each other sooner. Being able to let your heart out is extremely liberating, especially when it comes to things you would rather keep secret. I would also like to say that we psychologists, just like the doctor, are bound by a duty of confidentiality. So don't let it be a barrier for you to seek professional help for fear that your private life will continue to be discussed with third parties. Let's together create a culture of openness where it is allowed that you are not doing well.

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Story

09 October 2020

Regional Spotlight Initiative Programme launched to reduce family violence across Eastern Caribbean

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - As Eastern Caribbean governments work to build back better in the wake of COVID-19, the United Nations and the European Union continue to scale up efforts to foster gender equality and respond to family violence through the launch of a USD$12.7M Spotlight Regional Caribbean Programme. This is part of the EUR 500 million with which the European Union is financing the Spotlight Initiative in all continents. A high-level virtual signing ceremony was today held to launch the Caribbean-wide Regional Programme, that aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and complements existing Spotlight country programmes in Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. It brought together CARICOM and OECS leaders, representatives of the United Nations System and the European Union, as well as development partners, and civil society. The Regional Spotlight Initiative entitled: “Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Prevent and Respond to Family Violence in the Caribbean” is being jointly implemented by four UN agencies - UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, and UNFPA - and Heads of these funds and programmes, along with the UN Resident Coordinator, Didier Trebucq signed the joint programme document on behalf of the UN; while the OECS’ Head of Human and Social Development Cluster, Dr. Carlene Radix and CARICOM Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan did so on behalf of these regional institutions. The document was also signed by Luis Maia on behalf of the European Union. In delivering Opening Remarks, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Didier Trebucq said the flagship partnership between the UN and the EU, in collaboration with regional partners and civil society organisations, sought to address family violence in all its forms. He explained: “Recent studies published by UN Women for Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago show that the average lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence is around 45 per cent in these countries. There is also significant risk for women who are victims of domestic abuse being killed by intimate partners and family members. We are all aware that the failure to frontally address these issues, by protecting and empowering women and girls, can and will derail the achievement of all SDGs, not only the SDG 5.” Head of Development Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, Luis Maia, in delivering remarks, reiterated the European Union’s strong commitment to supporting gender equality and women's empowerment in the Caribbean. “This is why we want to put a spotlight on this scourge and help women and girls to step out into the light. Indeed, it is time to leave violence behind. The commitment of the European Union delegation is not just lip service. The EU has invested an initial global commitment of 500 million Euros The Spotlight Initiative is also a clear manifestation of our key support to multilateralism , to the UN reform and the Caribbean to which a total of 50 million Euros has been committed towards efforts across the region.” ...

This is an excerpt from a story originally published by Spotlight Initiative. You can read the full story here.

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Story

10 October 2020

FAWAKA with you(th): A writer explores LGBT rights and struggles amid the COVID-19 pandemic in UNICEF's blog on youth

The second article of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child ensures the right not to be discriminated against – in any way. This includes the right to not be discriminated against for one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. As COVID-19 continues to spread across the world, hundreds of thousands of people have contracted the virus, and every community has been affected. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) youth often face additional challenges, which may include staying home with unsupportive family, restrictions on their self-expression, concerns about the future, and lack of access to supportive spaces and people. This can increase their exposure to violence, as well as their anxiety and depression. This blog is a follow up to the key findings of the Youth KAP survey aimed at getting the stories behind the data. FAWAKA translates to “How are you doing?” in ‘Sranan Tongo’ (English-based creole language). In this week’s ‘FAWAKA with You(th)’ we will be featuring Mitchel, 24 years old. He is also a medical student at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and currently the Chair of the LGBT Platform Suriname. We first met Mitchel when he represented the LGBT Platform during the International Youth Day Conference, organized by UNICEF and UNFPA Suriname in 2019 How did you feel when you heard about the first active COVID-19 case in Suriname? I knew that it would happen sooner or later. So, it didn’t surprise me. As a medical student, I also signed up to help the Surinamese government with contact tracing of people that have been in contact with Covid-19 positive cases. It can be a bit stressful, but I try to balance it by creating some personal time; playing games, exercising at home and learning new skills online. The fact that I can’t meet people in person and socialize does bother me, as I am a very social person. Why did you decide to join the LGBT Platform Suriname? Growing up I have always felt this need to stand up for equal rights among marginalized groups in the community. There is still a lot of stigma and prejudice about the LGBT community in Suriname. Many people associate being gay or bisexual with being feminine, but there is a lot of diversity in the LGBT community. As I am also a part of the LGBT community in Suriname, I felt like I could use this opportunity as chair to educate people more and make a difference with my mindset. Some people think that we’re fighting for ‘special’ LGBT rights, but we’re fighting for equality and acknowledgement of basic human rights like everyone else. Eventually, we must put our differences aside and live in harmony as human beings. What impact do you think COVID-19 has on the LGBT Youth? As chair of the LGBT Platform, I often get messages from peers when they are facing challenges or seeking advice. The ‘staying at home’ COVID-19 measures have especially been stressful on young LGBT people that are still in the closet; sometimes they don’t feel safe or comfortable in their own home, so they go outside to relax or seek comfort with friends or other peers. Their freedom to express themselves and be themselves was also limited during this period. LGBT youth that have been rejected by family are also forced to stay home; a place where their presence is not always favoured. I would advise young people dealing with these challenges, to use this time to figure out who they are; look for information online and educate yourself a bit more. What do you miss the most of the ‘pre-Covid’ time? I am a very social person, so I really miss spending time with my friends and meeting people in general. As chair of the LGBT Platform, I also get the opportunity to meet people from diverse backgrounds with different stories; coming out stories, people that have been rejected by their family and how they deal with these challenges. I enjoy listening to people’s life stories and learning from each other’s experiences. Most young people trust me and feel comfortable discussing these topics with a fellow peer. At the end of the day we are all humans with many differences, a lot of diversity, that doesn’t mean we should discriminate each other. We are just people with another sexual orientation and gender identity. We have the need and right to love, just like everyone else - Mitchel What is your message to young people? Stay calm, follow the official guidelines of the authorities. Take this time do fun things, spend time with yourself, self-reflection is never a bad thing. Be the best you can be. You can always become a better version of yourself.And a message related to LGBT issues? I would like people to educate themselves, at the end of the day we are all humans with many differences, a lot of diversity, however that doesn’t mean we should discriminate each other. We are just people with another sexual orientation and gender identity. We have the need and right to love, just like everyone else. This story was originally published here by UNICEF Guyana & Suriname.

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Press Release

21 March 2023

UNFPA Suriname is building the resilience of women against climate change

Climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of women and girls across the world. Unfortunately, during climate-induced natural disasters, conflicts and public health emergencies, gender and sexual and reproductive health needs are often overlooked, with staggering consequences including increased unintended pregnancies, higher risk of maternal deaths, rise in early marriage and genderbased violence. The effects of climate change are felt first and most acutely by vulnerable and marginalized populations, including women, children, youth, people with disabilities, minorities, the elderly and the urban poor. The Government of Suriname, in partnership with the UNFPA, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), are implementing the SDG Joint Fund Programme aimed at developing sustainable development financing strategies for priority sectors. The main objectives of the initiative are to ensure more inclusive and gender-responsive actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to develop a national roadmap for a sustainable financial system to achieve national development and climate change goals. Gender has been both cross-cutting as well as an independent subject addressed during the course of this joint project. The Bureau of Gender Affairs of the Minister of Home Affairs has been a valued partner during the implementation of the joint project and will continue to play a crucial role by ensuring the monitoring of gender actions which will be registered in an addendum of the Gender Policy Vision Document 2021 - 2035. During the event Ms. Annette Tjon Sie Fat and Ms. Sharda Ganga gave presentations which were focused on getting the participants familiar with basic concepts like gender and gender equality. They also presented the addendum on the Gender Vision Policy Plan 2021 – 2035. The addendum stresses the core values of UNFPA‘s approach to climate action, which are ensuring that climate resilience is rights-focused, gender sensitive, and people-centered. The addendum also emphasizes the inclusion of gender responsive sustainable finance. During his remarks the Director of Home Affairs said: "Abundant rainfall, long droughts, storms, hurricanes and other kinds of natural disasters are unstoppable. We can prepare for it, fortify ourselves and resist it. The SDG Joint Project is an initiative in which international and national partners not only work on resilience against the consequences of climate change, but also strongly encourage cooperation at the same time. It is important not to neglect anyone in the collaboration. Involving the most vulnerable groups, including the Indigenous and Tribal peoples, will only enhance the effectiveness of projects."

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Press Release

17 March 2023

The new PAHO/WHO Representative visits Medical Mission in Suriname

Paramaribo, Suriname, March 14, 2023 (PAHO/WHO) – The site visit by the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) Dr. Lilian Reneau-Vernon to the Medical Mission in Paramaribo, Suriname was an important step in strengthening the partnership between the two organizations. The visit provided an opportunity for the PWR to get an overview of the work being done by the Medical Mission and to identify areas for further collaboration. The purpose of the visit was an introduction and orientation meeting for future visits to remote outpatient clinics in Suriname. During the orientation meeting, the PAHO/WHO Representative was provided with an overview of the Medical Mission's primary healthcare model by Deputy Director of Medical Mission Dr. Maureen Wijngaarde-van Dijk, which includes the training of healthcare assistants from the communities. These assistants engage in health promotion activities, provide treatment for common ailments, and rehabilitation services under the supervision of doctors. The primary healthcare model is an integrated approach that takes into account the social determinants of health and seeks to provide comprehensive and holistic care to the population. The PAHO/WHO Representative also had the opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by the Medical Mission in providing healthcare services to remote communities. The partnership between PAHO/WHO and Medical Mission Suriname is of great importance, as the latter has been providing quality healthcare to hard-to-reach communities in the interior of Suriname for almost 300 years. The Medical Mission operates 51 clinics in the districts of Brokopondo and Sipaliwini, which cover an area of 130,000 square kilometers and serve approximately 54,000 people, mainly indigenous (Amerindian), tribal (Maroon), and migrant populations (gold miners and forestry workers). About Medical Mission
Driven by Christian Principles, the Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname has been providing quality health care to the hard-to-reach communities in the interior of Suriname for almost 300 years. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) has collaborated with the Medical Mission in many ways over the years, ensuring that vulnerable groups, especially in remote areas, have access to quality health care and are not left behind.

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Press Release

13 March 2023

PAHO facilitates successful kick-off meeting for Intra Action Review for the COVID-19 pandemic in Suriname 21 Feb 2023

The RIVM is a research institute in the Netherlands that operates under the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and its mission is to promote public health and a safe and sustainable living environment through research, monitoring, and policy advice. The RIVM is a WHO Collaboration Center for International Health Regulations. An Intra Action Review (IAR) is a facilitated discussion to reflect on actions taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, identify gaps and lessons learned and propose recommendations to strengthen responses to future pandemics. An IAR is important as it provides a chance to evaluate current response measures, learn from the actions taken during the pandemic, identify functional bottlenecks, and improve preparedness and response systems for future outbreaks. The importance of COVID-19 IAR in Suriname
The COVID pandemic has created challenges worldwide in response capacity, infrastructure, resources, and financing, particularly for small countries like Suriname with economic problems and limited infrastructure, who have adopted a tailored response approach. Because the Surinamese government has the ambition to renew and strengthen the public health care system, it has requested PAHO to implement this COVID-19 IAR to strengthen their public healthcare system, with RIVM supporting the evaluation in Dutch. “Requesting a COVID-19 IAR denotes the country's seriousness in opening the doors to review the response to COVID-19 pandemic. PAHO has a work plan in International Health Regulations (IHR) and this evaluation helps us to align our internal processes of technical cooperation.” according to Oscar Mesones Lapouble, Technical Officer, Tropical and Vector-borne Diseases from the PAHO/WHO Suriname office. The IAR's methodology is based on the WHO's methodology, which focuses on 10 "pillars" (focus areas) relevant in the context of the COVID-19 response. In coordination with the Ministry of Health, a number of these focus areas have been selected for review. This selection was made on the basis of perceived relevance and to limit the burden on local government as much as possible. Together with the Ministry, an inventory has been made of which stakeholders are important to participate in these reviews. These are then invited for interviews and/or focus group sessions to jointly discuss and analyze the issues involved, identify strong and weak elements in order to provide concrete advice to improve the future response to major outbreaks or pandemics.
The identified priority areas of focus are: Pillar 1: Coordination, planning, financing and monitoring Pillar 3: Surveillance, epidemiological research, contact research and taking measures for public health and the social environment Pillar 5: Laboratories and diagnostics Pillar 8: Operational support and logistics, and the procurement and management of resources and materials. The kick-off meeting took place on February 20, 2023, highlighting the importance of the IAR in the context of Suriname and what IAR participants can expect during this review. The interviews are scheduled for the last two weeks of February, and provisional feedback will take place on March 2. At the end of March, the final report is expected to be available.

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Press Release

13 March 2023

PAHO presents the findings of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) for Suriname

The EPHF Framework in Suriname
The PAHO/WHO has a renewed framework for the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) to guide health authorities in strengthening their policies and addressing public health challenges in the region. Suriname participated in the EPHF evaluation and strengthening exercise as part of its commitment to universal health and became the first country in the Caribbean Region to complete this exercise. A multidisciplinary team developed an action plan to strengthen the country's public health infrastructure based on the gaps identified in the EPHF assessment. Addressing these gaps will also support universal access to health and universal health coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the PAHO/WHO Strategy for Building Resilient Health Systems and Post COVID-19 Pandemic Recovery to Sustain and Protect Public Health Gains. The meeting was opened with a speech by the PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Lilian Vernon-Reneau who stated that: “The Assessment in Suriname was done in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, as the owner along with key actors in the health sector. This is a process facilitated and supported by PAHO, but it is the Ministry’s of Health process to gauge the institutional capacities in performing these essential public health functions. It is not an examination of the system rather it allows us to build on already existing strong areas and to focus our attention to strengthen areas that may require such action.” Dr. Amar Ramadhin, Minister of Health Suriname in addressing the participants mentioned that; “Suriname is pleased to be part of the Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) assessment. Equally, Suriname is very pleased to be the first country in the Caribbean Region to have completed this exercise. The exercise started in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and was completed in August 2022. I wish to thank everyone who have participated and supported this exercise and I look forward to the discussions on how we can work together to support health system resilience and broader health goals including equity and efficiency.” Ms. Rachel Jarboe, a representative of PAHO/WHO WDC, provided a brief review of the EPHF evaluation framework and process. The EPHF framework is a tool developed by PAHO/WHO to guide countries in evaluating and strengthening their public health systems. The framework is organized into 11 essential public health functions, which are grouped into three categories: health assessment and surveillance, health promotion, and disease prevention and control. Following the brief review, Ms. Joanna Baank, PAHO/WHO Consultant for the EPHF Assessment presented the results of the Phase 1 situation analysis and institutional mapping, which aimed to assess the current state of Suriname's public health infrastructure. She also presented phase 2 measurement of institutional capacities, which evaluated the country's capacity to implement the EPHF framework. The moderator for the day, Dr. Rosmond Adams, Advisor for Health Systems and Services at PAHO/WHO Suriname mentioned: "PAHO is pleased to support Suriname in the assessment of the essential public health functions and the development of the action plan to strengthen these functions. Within out framework of technical cooperation, we will work collaboratively in health system strengthening.” Dr. Adams also presented the results of Phase 3, which involved a gap analysis to identify areas where Suriname's public health system falls short of meeting the requirements of the EPHF framework. Based on the findings, an Action Plan was developed to address these gaps and improve the country's public health infrastructure. The Action Plan includes several key initiatives, such as strengthening laboratory capacity, surveillance systems, and disease prevention and control measures. It also aims to enhance communication and coordination among key stakeholders and to improve human resources for public health. A key takeaway from one of the health stakeholders Dr. Jerry Tulsi from the Medical Science Institute (Faculty of Medical Sciences) stated that: “We were already aware that there are gaps in our health care system, but now these gaps have now been identified and well documented, and based on this documentation we can make improvements to our health care systems.” Dr. Marc Sprenger, Director of the National Recovery Plan at the Ministry of Health, provided an update on the ongoing reform process of Suriname's health sector and how this reform will support the essential public health functions. The health sector reform aims to improve the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of health services in Suriname. It is aligned with the country's National Health Policy and Strategic Plan and is based on a human rights approach to health.

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Press Release

20 March 2023

Protecting Caribbean women in digital spaces

One of the objectives of International Women’s Day (IWD - March 8) this year is to spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The theme for IWD is, “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. This theme is aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. In 2018, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences defined online violence against women to encompass any act of gender-based violence against women that is committed, assisted or aggravated in part or fully by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as mobile phones and smartphones, the Internet, social media platforms or email, against a woman because she is a woman, or affects women disproportionately.[2] Women worldwide and in the Caribbean are increasingly falling victim to cyber-attacks, particularly via online shopping and other social media activities. There have also been several instances of stalking and trafficking resulting from cyber activities. Additionally, the rapidly growing access and use of ICT, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has had multiple impacts on gender equality and women’s rights, including the further exacerbation of existing forms of violence against women (VAW), especially sexual harassment, and the emergence of new forms of VAW, such as non-consensual image sharing and harassment of women in virtual spaces. It is important to take the necessary actions, both big and small, to address this issue. It is imperative that measures are implemented to prevent, address and criminalize these acts, whether big or small, to ensure that there are consequences for perpetrators. We must also ensure that adequate and useful help is available for survivors. While digital spaces are a challenge for the safety of women and girls, they can also be leveraged as powerful tools to protect and promote their rights. Here in the Caribbean, the United Nations - including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - has taken several measures, using ICT, to protect our women. For example - in the framework of the EU funded Spotlight Initiative - in Jamaica the App HOPE (a mobile app) was launched in 2021 in collaboration with the civil society organization Eve For Life. The App HOPE can help you understand if you or someone you know is affected by gender-based violence (GBV). The App does this through questions that you can answer. It also sensitizes on the rights to a life free from violence in a “know your rights” section; through the analysis of scenarios, it also helps address common myths related to GBV. Finally, but not less important, the App Hope provides hints on the actions that you can take to be safe and the contact information of support services available, including in cases of emergencies. The digital space also has the potential to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and raise awareness on human rights. In 2022, the Caribbean Observatory on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Observatory was launched. The SRH Observatory is an advocacy platform that permits monitoring and tracking progress towards the advancement of integrated SRHR and GBV in the region while lobbying for improved programming as well as policy and legislative reforms. While there are several initiatives that can help to address technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence and promote the rights to a life free from violence, we recognize that the work needs to continue and much more needs to be done, including by promoting the further development, use and dissemination of safe technology for GBV prevention and response. In addition to highlighting the need to protect women in digital spaces, the United Nations’ Observance of IWD this year also serves to recognize and celebrate the women and girls who are championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education, further promoting gender equality. There is a plethora of women in the Caribbean who deserve recognition for their work to advance transformative technology and digital education in our region who we should be celebrating and elevating. Today, let’s highlight two of the women in tech who have been making strides in the Caribbean and that can inspire more women to participate in the digital space while promoting safe spaces. Evie Kanhai-Gurchuran, from Guyana, for example is the founder of a coworking space that fosters a tech and entrepreneurial community. She works tirelessly to close the opportunity gaps for Caribbean entrepreneurs in a digital space and to close the gender gap for women and girls in computing. Another stellar woman in tech is Jamaican Melissa James, an award-winning diversity expert who has been dedicated to increasing diversity in the technology industry. This 8th of March, Join us in celebrating women in tech, but let’s also engage all year long in helping to protect our women in ICT spaces! UNFPA, as the UN agency responsible for sexual and reproductive health, remains dedicated to supporting governments and other stakeholders to protect the rights of women from various forms of violence, while aiming at achieving three transformative results: zero maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero GBV and harmful practices. UNFPA is committed to helping the Caribbean through deliberate, strategic and collaborative actions that will lead to a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. [1] Addressing Online Violence against Women and Girls in the Commonwealth Caribbean and AmericasThe Role of Bystanders, The Commonwealth (2018) [2] Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women: Report of the Secretary-General (2022)

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