Category Archives: Caribbean

The tanker sailed into Portland, Dorset, bringing the curtain down on a whirlwind 12 months.

From coming out of refit on Merseyside to leading the UKs task force in the Caribbean through the Atlantic hurricane season, RFA Wave Knight has arrived back in England.

The ship delivered aid to the people of St Vincent upon her arrival last June after their lives were turned upside down by a volcanic eruption.

Then, following this, she supported the international relief effort in Haiti in the wake of an earthquake later in the summer.

Crew and her embarked team of disaster relief specialists trained repeatedly with islanders across the region to ensure they could deliver as much help as possible should a severe tropical storm sweep through.

Despite this though, in conjunction with the RNs permanent presence in the region, patrol ship HMS Medway was not required to intervene during the storm season.

And when not on standby to respond to disaster, the ship joined the international fight against drug trafficking.

Working with the US Coastguard and its specialist boarding teams, making use of the speed and agility of Knight Rider, the ship scored a drugs bust within 24 hours of her first patrol, seizing more than 200kg cocaine from a go-fast drugs worth over 17m had they reached the UK.

Reverting to her original role of fast fleet tanker, the ship provided black gold frequently to the Dutch frigate HMNLS Holland to sustain her efforts against regional drug traffickers.

Captain Ali Clack, the ships Commanding Officer, said the mix of Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers, Royal Navy aviators and engineers, British Army Crisis Response Troop and embarked US Coastguard worked as one team to ensure RFA Wave Knight remained on task in support of the UKs overseas territories and partner nations in the Caribbean.

He said: Its been a busy and highly successful year from leaving Cammell Lairds shipyard in February 2021, generating for the deployment, departing from Scotland in early June fully-trained and stored to respond to the Core Hurricane Season.

We exercised humanitarian and disaster relief operations before settling into supporting US Coastguard Counter Drugs Trafficking operations, interdicting and questioning a number of suspicious craft which ultimately led to several large drug hauls.

The head of the RFA, Commodore David Eagles, visited the tanker today to thank sailors for their efforts on an extraordinarily successful deployment.

He continued: Wave Knight and her embarked personnel have been a force for good and contributed to stability and resilience throughout the region. I am very proud of all that the ship has achieved.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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Navy ship returns from Pirates of Caribbean-style tour around the Americas - Portsmouth News

Thank you its an honour to be here, at the end of an inspiring trip to Ecuador and Costa Rica, just a few weeks after a similarly inspiring visit to Peru and to Colombia and to meet many of you here today at the Leticia Pact before COP26.

I could spend hours talking about the mesmerising beauty of this whole region, and the leadership you really are at the epicentre of global ambition in relation to the biggest challenge that really any of us face.

And it has been wonderful to be able to spend time with friends Andrea Meza, Carlos Correa, and Gustavo Manrique, three phenomenal leaders and my new friends from Panama, and Im looking forward to visit shortly.

You will be pleased to know I wont spend hours talking about the mesmerising beauty of this area.

But I would like to share some thoughts, if I could on, what was achieved in Glasgow, at COP26.

The whole world heard the message from ambitious, nature-rich countries as well as climate vulnerable nations around the world and many of those vulnerable countries, and small island developing states.

Prime Minister Mottley spoke powerfully about the urgent need to keep within 1.5 degrees, and to provide greater support for communities that are being devastated by a global crisis that is not of their making.

And the extraordinary Roxana Borda Mamani, a passionate, eloquent young Quechua activist from Peru who I met when I was out there spoke so movingly at COP on the need to empower indigenous peoples and local communities.

I cant pretend and Im not going to pretend that we closed the gap between where we are and where we need to be if were truly going to address these big issues and reverse the degradation of the natural world, and the climate change that threatens us all.

But undoubtedly, we did narrow that gap considerably and far more, I think, than people had anticipated.

And we built a momentum.

We kept alive the possibility of staying within 1.5 degrees.

90% of the global economy is now signed up to net zero it was only 30% a year or so ago.

We agreed measures that undoubtedly signal the end of the era of coal and 2021 was the year that killed-off international public financing of coal power.

And were accelerating the transition towards renewable energy, including green hydrogen.

We finalised the Paris rulebook including the all-important Article 6.

And a new rachet mechanism which has been under-reported, but is hugely important in my opinion will help us to keep the pressure year on year.

And Im delighted that the UK is investing 100m to respond to the critical recommendations of the Taskforce on Access to Finance that we co-chair alongside Fiji.

And although we didnt reach the promised and hugely important $100bn figure we are continuing to urge donor countries to make good on that promise as we continue our presidency, and we have a good plan to achieve it and we are optimistic that we will.

But the thing that made this COP different to previous COPs and I think so important was that nature moved from the very margins of the debate on climate change into the heart of our response to it.

And that matters because we know you know better than anyone that there is no credible pathway to tackling climate change or to achieving net zero that does not involve massive emphasis on protecting and restoring nature.

Indeed, climate change is just one of many devastating symptoms of our reckless and abusive relationship with the natural world.

If you like, climate change is the fever.

And the beauty of backing nature is that doing so allows us to address so many other issues as well pollution, poverty even, as we now know, pandemics.

Nature based solutions are undoubtedly the most effective but theyre also the most cost effective, and we need to back them.

And between us, I think we won that argument at COP and I dont see any going back.

It was the bravery and the leadership that was shown by big-ocean, big-nature countries, many represented here today, that enabled the UK presidency to be as ambitious as we were, enabled us to make and win the arguments in favour of protecting and restoring nature.

And for that Im so grateful to you here today.

The Glasgow commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by the end of this decade by 2030 was signed by 141 countries representing over 90% of the worlds forest cover.

And that declaration is more than just a paper declaration.

It is reinforced by unprecedented levels of public, and private, and philanthropic finance amounting to nearly USD$20 billion

and by public commitments from the worlds biggest buyers of agricultural commodities agricultural commodities are responsible for the vast majority of deforestation

and a similar commitment from the main Multilateral Development Banks, and financial institutions presiding over assets worth many trillions of dollars

each of them committing to align their purchasing and their portfolios not only with the Paris goals, but with our deforestation goals as well.

28 countries are now working together to break the link between agricultural commodity and deforestation while also supporting livelihoods and increasing sustainable trade

and thats been backed up, Im thrilled to say, with a 500m commitment from the UK

and is bolstered also by a growing move by consumer countries to introduce due diligence legislation, the sort that we have already introduced in the UK

designed to help strengthen forest governance around the world and reduce the impact of our own supply chains on other countries.

COP26 also crucially secured nearly $2bn to support indigenous peoples and local communities to defend their forests.

And there was one indigenous leader at COP, who I had the pleasure of meeting and said, Weve protected 80% of the worlds forest biodiversity without any support at all, often in the face of acute danger; can you imagine what were going to be able to will do with support?

So working with Indigenous communities will be central to what we do not least through the commitment that weve made to the Amazon.

The UK made it on the back of my visit to Carlos Correa in Colombia and friends in Peru we were able to make that commitment to support the extraordinary work thats happening in critical parts of the Amazon, but also through the LEAF coalition which I hope will grow considerably in the coming year.

Now the UK remains presidency of COP until we hand over all of it to Egypt towards the end of this year.

And our commitment is that we will do all we can to inject scrutiny and accountability at every level to ensure those promises are honoured in full and that we build upon them.

So theres a lot to be done and I look forward to working with the most ambitious countries in the world, many of them here today.

But weve seen also that even the more reluctant countries, and companies, and indeed institutions are feeling pressure.

Theyve seen that we are taking albeit small steps, but important the steps, towards shifting the immense power of the market away from destruction, towards resilience, and sustainability, and renewal.

That shift is now happening.But we need more pace, and we need more urgency and the only way thats going to happen is if governments in particular use the levers that are uniquely in their control.

Governments set the rules.

We have the ability and the responsibility to adjust those rules such that pollution, degradation, and waste become an unbearable liability

and that the market learns to recognise the true value of those natural systems on which we all depend.

This is a critical year for us all.

Were going to have to work together to ensure all the decisions we take at the various landmark moments this year add up to more than the sum of their parts and that we put the world genuinely on a road to recovery.

And weve got a big opportunity, if we agree a new global agreement on marine litter and microplastics at UNEA, to help accelerate the shift towards more a circular economy

and a new and ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework at the CBD COP15 with mechanisms that will enable Parties to be held to account.

And the UK is so proud to be part of this extraordinary, global coalition committed to protecting at least 30% of the worlds land and at least 30% of the worlds ocean, by 2030.

We must all work together to secure that agreement.

Many of you are playing critically important roles, and Im so grateful to you.

When Costa Rica, and Colombia, and Ecuador, and Panama made their announcement this extraordinary vision of a new highly protected, highly connected marine reserve, covering a staggering half-a-million km2 of ocean

I can tell you, as someone who was there in COP, cajoling countries, trying to get everyone to raise their ambition, that moment really sparked something good, a green arms race at COP with countries beyond this continent wanting to try and engage in, and bask in the glory that they could see these four countries were enjoying on the back of their announcement.

It really helped to raise ambition it helped us so again, Im so grateful to you.

It is exactly the ambition that we all need and the UK committed at COP to supporting their initiative, we made a small, tentative step towards doing so today.

And as I was able to tell my friends in those four countries, the UK will commit 2m to help kickstart the process but that is the beginning of a longer-term relationship.

And there is no good reason we cant make this the decade that really begins to turn things around and reconcile our lives with the natural world.

As I met the President of this country, President Alvarado, yesterday I said that is undoubtedly the defining challenge of our age.

And we will all be judged on the basis of whether manage to do that.

So I really look forward to continuing to work with these ambitious countries here in this region.

And Andrea, thank you once again for inviting me, for looking after me over the last couple of days, giving me so much of your time but much more importantly for the amazing, global leadership that we need now.

Thank you so much.

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Minister Goldsmith's address to the Forum of Ministers of the Environment of Latin America and the Caribbean - GOV.UK

KEY FIGURES

6K BARRELS OF OIL SPILLED IN OPEN WATERS OFF THE NORTHERN COAST OF PERU

8.9M SQUARE METERS OF OCEAN AND COASTLINE AFFECTED AS OF 23 JANUARY

Sources:

Government of Peru

UN System Peru

PERU: OIL SPILL

The Government of Peru has formally declared an environmental emergency following an oil spill on 15 January at the countrys main refinery, La Pampilla. The refinery, operated by the Spanish oil giant Repsol, is located in the district of Ventanilla north of the capital Lima. Around 6,000 barrels of oil were spilled into open waters in an area rich in marine biodiversity, affecting 7.1 million m2 of ocean and 1.8 million m2 of coastline as of 23 January. The spill is causing significant environmental damage and and poses risks to the health and livelihoods of coastal populations, especially those dependent on fishing and tourism.

As ocean currents push the oil northward, the spill has now reached the neighbouring district of Ancn, two national marine reserves and the northern port of Chacn. The Ministry of Environment says the spill could result in direct and indirect losses of US$52 million for tourism-related livelihoods.

Multiple Government agencies are working together to respond to the catastrophic spill, the worst environmental disaster in Perus recent history, while Repsol says that it has deployed around 1,800 personnel to support response efforts and specialized machinery to help contain the spread. In response to a request from the Government, the UN Joint Environment Unit (JEU), a collaborative initiative of OCHA and UNEP, has deployed a team of technical experts to provide analysis, specialized technical assistance and recommendations on disaster response and coordination.

KEY FIGURES

36% OF THE CORN CROP IN ARGENTINA IN POOR OR VERY POOR CONDITION

159 MUNICIPALITIES FACE DROUGHT EMERGENCY IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL

Sources:

SOUTH AMERICA: HEAT WAVE & DROUGHT

In recent weeks, countries across South America have set record-high temperatures as the region deals with a historic heat wave. Unusually warm temperatures in parts of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, largely fueled by La Nia conditions, are exacerbating protracted drought, with negative implications for agricultural production, livelihoods and food security.

In Argentina, blistering temperatures in the capital Buenos Aires, which hit 41.5C on 14 January the hottest day since 1957 overwhelmed the power grid and hundreds of thousands of people without electricity. Prolonged drought continues to severely affect the countrys staple crops nearly 36 per cent of its corn crop is in poor or very poor condition while the low level of the Paran river is hindering exports from the inland port of Rosario, where around 80 per cent of the Argentinas agricultural products are shipped from.

In neighbouring Brazil, the temperature in Bag, Rio Grande do Sul recently hit 41.7C the hottest on record since 1912 as the state faces its worst drought in nearly two decades. Nearly 160 municipalities have declared a state of emergency due to ongoing drought conditions since November 2021. Meanwhile in Uruguay, the latest heatwave comes on the heels of another which took place between December 2021 and early January 2022, triggering forest fires which scorched around 37,000 hectares of forest in the western part of the country, the worst forest devastation in Uruguays history.

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Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (17-23 January 2022) As of 24 January 2022 - Peru - ReliefWeb

According to the traffic report presented today by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), during 2021 Latin America and the Caribbean was the region with the best load factor, also leading, together with North America, the performance in recovery.

Globally, Latin America accounted for 6.5% of overall traffic and 2.1% of international traffic.

In 2021, demand (measured in RPK) in Latin America and the Caribbean fell by 47.7%, ranking second only to North America, where the drop was 39%.

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Capacity (ASK) in Latin American and Caribbean countries was 43.9% lower, resulting in a negative variation of only 5.2 percentage points in the occupancy factor, which stood at 77.3%, the highest among all regions worldwide, followed by North America with 73.8% and Europe with 68.6%.

See also:IATA: global passenger traffic recovered 42% in 2021 compared to 2019

Looking at the international segment, Latin American airlines recorded a 66.9% drop in passenger traffic, while capacity fell 62.2%, resulting in an occupancy factor of 72.6% (-10.2 pp), also the highest among the regions.

Does Latin American political change pose a threat to air transport?

In recent years, governments in several key Latin American markets have made a leftward shift, such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and, more recently, Chile.

When asked by Aviacionline whether this could provoke a wave of protectionism on air transport that would limit its development in the region, Willie Walsh, IATAs Director-General, said that political changes whether to the left or to the right can have an impact, but that it does not depend necessarily on the direction of governments but on the approach they will take in relation to aviation, transport and the economy in general.

We have dealt with this before and I dont think it represents anything that is significantly different to what we have experienced in the past; we have managed and lived through political changes before and I would expect that we will be able to handle them efficiently in the future, the executive concluded.

You can watch Willie Walshs full conference on our YouTube channel:

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Latin America and the Caribbean closed 2021 as the region with the best load factor - Aviacionline.com

The Caribbean is more than just a popular tourist destination. It is a region rich in culture and history. Many different peoples, including indigenous groups, Europeans, and Africans have helped to shape the cultural mosaic that is the Caribbean.

The Caribbean contains 13 independent countries and several territories/dependencies that are part of other countries. Almost 44 million people live in the region, known for its crystal blue waters, sandy beaches, and warm, tropical climate, all of which attract throngs of tourists each year.

Antigua (pronounced An-teega) and Barbuda is a country in the middle of the Leeward Islands, which is part of the Caribbean island group known as the Lesser Antilles, located in the eastern Caribbean. As its name implies, Antigua and Barbuda is composed mainly of two islands bearing the same names. Antigua is the largest of the islands, comprising 108 sq. miles, while Barbuda is approximately 68 sq. miles. The population of Antigua and Barbuda is about 98,000. English is the official language of the country. Agriculture was once the main economic activity in Antigua and Barbuda, especially the cultivation of sugarcane. Today, however, tourism is the mainstay of the economy.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus made his first landfall in the so-called New World on an island he called San Salvador, which is now one of the many islands of the Bahamas. The Bahamas is technically not a Caribbean country as it is located in the Lucayan Archipelago, which is in the Atlantic Ocean, though it is still generally considered to be part of the Caribbean community. The country consists of more than 700 tropical islands and 2,400 mostly uninhabited cays. The land area of the Bahamas comprises a total of 13,943 sq. km. The Bahamas is home to about 393 thousand inhabitants. The Bahamians are mostly of African descent. English is the countrys official language. The countrys economy is now largely powered by the tourism and financial services.

The island country of Barbados is located in the eastern Caribbeans Lesser Antilles. The island is just 431 sq. km in area. The population of Barbados is approximately 287 thousand. About 90% of the people on the island are of Afro-Caribbean descent or mixed descent. English is the official language of Barbados, though many people on the island speak a local variant called Bajan in informal settings. Tourism and offshore banking are the main economic activities in Barbados.

Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean, with a land area encompassing 106,440 sq. km. It is one of the islands of the Greater Antilles, located in the northern Caribbean. The U.S. state of Florida is just 103 miles away from Cuba. The population of Cuba is approximately 11.3 million, making it the second-most populous country in the Caribbean, after Haiti. The Cuban people are very multiethnic, though there is disagreement on where much of the population is descended from. In 2014, an autosomal study of the Cuban people was done, and found that 72% of the population was of European descent, 20% of African descent, and 8% of indigenous descent. Spanish is Cubas official language. Cuba is one of the last countries in the world that is still ruled by a communist regime.

Not to be confused with the Dominican Republic, Dominica is an English-speaking island country in the Lesser Antilles. The island is just 750 sq. km in land area. Unlike other Caribbean countries, Dominica has not built major airports or cruise terminals to attract tourists, leaving the countrys natural landscape mostly untouched. The country is home to about 72 thousand people, most of whom are of African descent. Dominica is also the only island in the eastern Caribbean that has a significant population of pre-Columbian indigenous inhabitants.

The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antilles. The country shares the island with its western neighbor, Haiti. The Dominican Republic is large compared to other Caribbean states, with a land area of 48,320 sq. km. The population of the Spanish-speaking country is about 10.8 million, most being of mixed descent. There are large numbers of immigrants from other Caribbean countries in the Dominican Republic, including about 700,000 Haitians. The economy of the Dominican Republic, formerly based on cash crops like sugarcane and tobacco, has been diversified to include significant tourism and service sectors. In fact, the Dominican Republic has been one of the most fastest-growing economies in Latin America following the 2008 financial crisis.

Grenada is composed of one large island of the same name, plus six smaller islands. It is located in the Lesser Antilles, on the south end of the Grenadines, northeast of the South American country of Venezuela. It is nicknamed the Island of Spice, because of it being a rich source of nutmeg and mace. The country has a land area of 344 sq. km, and boasts a population of roughly 112 thousand. About 82% of this population is of African descent. English is the countrys official language, but a number of people in the country also speak Grenadian Creole, French Patois, and Antillean Creole.

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. It is the most populous country in the Caribbean, with a population of around 11.4 million. Haiti is also a very young country, as more than half of its population is under the age of 25. Most Haitians are of African or mixed descent. French is the countrys official language. Haiti has the unfortunate distinction of being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Jamaica is an island country in the Greater Antilles. It is large compared to other Caribbean countries, having a land area of 10,991 sq. km. Most of Jamaicas people, about 2.9 million, are of African descent. Many of them are thought to be descendants of the Igbo people of present-day Nigeria and the Akan of what is now Ghana. Jamaicas economy is based largely on remittances from Jamaicans living abroad, tourism, and the mining of bauxite and alumina.

As its name implies, this country is composed of two islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, which are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. The country is the smallest and least populous in North America, with a land area of just 260 sq. km, and a population of around 53 thousand. Three quarters of people in St. Kitts and Nevis are the descendants of slaves brought by Europeans from West Africa. The unity of the country is tenuous as some seek to divide the federation of the two islands into two separate states.

St. Lucia is an island country in the Lesser Antilles formed by volcanic activity. The country has a land area of 610 sq. km. Its population is approximately 183 thousand. Most St. Lucians are of African or mixed Afro-European descent. English is the countrys official language, though French Creole is also widely spoken. Castries, one of the cities in St. Lucia, is a major tourist destination. St. Lucia also has the distinction of having the highest ratio of Nobel Laureates to its total population of any independent country.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located in the Lesser Antilles, close to where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. The country consists of the largest island, St. Vincent, and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines. The islands population, approximately 111,000, consists mostly of descendants of African slaves, though there is also a sizeable portion of people who are of mixed descent. Some are the descendants of indigenous Caribbean people and African slaves who intermarried and became known as Black Caribs.

Trinidad and Tobago is located off the coast of the South American country of Venezuela. It is composed mainly of two islands of the same name, with Trinidad being the larger and more populous of the two. In fact, 96% of the countrys estimated 1.4 million people live on the island of Trinidad. Most of these people are of either African or Indian descent, and tensions between these two groups are not uncommon. English is the official language.

The other territories that are considered part of the Caribbean are all dependencies of certain countries. The largest dependency is Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. territory. The U.S. also has sovereignty over some of the Virgin Islands, as does the UK. The UK has several other dependencies in the Caribbean, including the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, and the least populous territory in the Caribbean, Monserrat. France also has several territories in the Caribbean. These include its most populous, Martinique, as well as Guadeloupe, St. Barts, and Saint Martin. The Netherlands controls the remainder of the Caribbeans dependencies, which include Curacao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the Caribbean Netherlands.

With a population of 11,333,480, Cuba ranks number one in terms of population in the Caribbean. Haiti and the Dominican Republic follow with populations of 11,263,080 and 10,738,960 respectively. St. Kitts and Nevis has the lowest population in the region of 52,830.

The future population trends for the Caribbean points to the smallest population growth for a developing region by 2050, less than Asia and Africa. This estimate could be because the region as a whole has rapidly improved the average life expectancy at birth and the total fertility rate has gone down by more than half in the last sixty or so years. So while the total population is still expected to grow in the future, the growth rate will be relatively lower to the rising average age of the population and a decreased number of births in the future.

Natural resources, tourism, and agriculture form the backbone of the Caribbean economy. The region has a rich mineral wealth and mining is a major economic activity. Trinidad is known for its vast reserves of oil and natural gas. Forestry, fisheries, and agriculture also contribute significantly to the GDP. The tropical island setting also attracts thousands of tourists to the Caribbean countries. When ranked by their GDP per capita, The Bahamas is the richest nation in the region with a GDP per capita of USD 34,863.7. St. Kitts and Nevis and Barbados rank 2nd and 3rd with GDP per capita's of USD 19,935.0 and USD 18,148.2, respectively. Haiti has the lowest GDP per capita of USD 1,272.5.

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Caribbean Countries - WorldAtlas

[FORT LAUDERDALE] A U.S. study is putting the spotlight on Afro-Caribbean nationals who have heart disease, or have been diagnosed with Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy, (ATTR-CM).

Afro-Caribbeans with lived experiences can now share their story via a national, and qualitative study. In addition, they can get paid if they are considered a good candidate.

The national study is intended to deepen understanding of Afro-Caribbean people suffering heart issues. Including heart failure and related health conditions. Conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, etc.

We are focused on the Afro-Caribbean community due to a higher prevalence of heart failure and specifically Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), said Donna Fullerton, Research Partner at Now What. It is well-established that the broader Black community is disproportionately affected by ATTR-CM, which is driving our attention here. We are looking to speak with, hear stories from, and understand the nuances within the Black community so that future communications and resources around disease awareness and treatment options will be culturally relevant and appropriate and hopefully lessen the health disparities we see today.

To qualify, Afro-Caribbeans must be between ages 45-75, live in the US, and have been diagnosed with heart failure. Qualified participants will be paid $200 compensation for 2.5 hours of engagement. This includes answering questions and completing activities over a computer or smartphone.

Participants who make the first round of the study, must also be open to take part in a follow-up 75-minute zoom call, for an additional $150.

If you feel you qualify, complete a short pre-qualification survey before January 31st.

The online exercises will ask people questions about their culture, their community, their thoughts about health and the healthcare system, and their experiences living with a heart condition, added Fullerton. All of our questions are designed to be respectful and empathetic we only ask people to share what they are comfortable sharing and always respect peoples privacy.

Heart diseases, such has coronary heart disease and heart failure, are more common in Blacks, than other ethnic groups. So are the other cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and peripheral artery disease. Health issues like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes can increase a persons risk of heart failure. People of African heritage have higher rates of heart failure, hospitalization and death from the disease, according to national data.

Although care of patients with Heart Failure (HF) has improved in the past decade, important disparities in HF outcomes persist. Especially based on race/ethnicity. Recent scientific data shows that age-adjusted HF-related cardiovascular disease death rates are higher for Black patients. Particularly among young Black men and women whose rates of death are 2.6- and 2.97-fold higher, respectively, than White men and women.

Similarly, the rate of HF hospitalization for Black men and women is nearly 2.5-fold higher when compared with Whites. With costs that are significantly higher in the first year after HF hospitalization.

While the relative rate of HF hospitalization has improved for other race/ethnic minorities, the disparity in HF hospitalization between Black and White patients has not decreased during the last decade.

The ultimate goal of this ongoing, targeted research is to learn from and speak with members of the Afro-Caribbean community. As a result, future communications and resources around disease awareness and treatment options will be culturally relevant and appropriate. In order to hopefully lessen the health disparities currently.

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Caribbean Nationals Wanted For Heart Study - South Florida Caribbean News

Ocean Recovery Group, a new joint venture formed by 4G Recycling, a recycling and waste-management family-owned business, and packaging company AE Global, is a social-business enterprise with a mission.

Headquartered north of Miami with initial processing operations located in the Dominican Republic, the initiative aims to tackle the influx of plastic that ends up as pollution in the Caribbean and along the shores of the Western Hemisphere.

It is a lofty ambition, but one that the joint venture, with more than 100 years of recycling industry experience is confident it can handle.

Ocean Recovery Groups extensive knowledge in the recycling and packaging industries paired with our practical, sustainable and scalable solution will dramatically reduce the quantity of plastics ending up in our oceans, as well as the need for virgin plastics for product production, said Ocean Recovery Group President, Zachary Kirstein.

Ocean Recovery Group will be the first ocean-bound plastic integrated recycler in the Dominican Republic as well as the first in the Caribbean. Currently, less than 8 percent of plastics in the Dominican Republic are recycled.

Having teamed up with a local processing partner, Next Generation Recycling Latin America, Ocean Recovery Group is currently constructing its first recycling plant i in La Vega, Dominican Republic. The new plant is expected to be fully operational by March.

Ocean Recovery Group has the equipment, experienced management, and ability to collect, clean, sort, bale and ship ocean-bound plastics, Kirstein said. As a social enterprise, it will sell the recovered plastics to re-processors to make plastic pellets, which will then be sold as recycled plastic to manufacturers, thus contributing to solving the planets ocean-bound plastic crisis in the western hemisphere.

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Tackling ocean-bound plastic in the Caribbean - Plastics News

A journey through the rainforest to a Mayan temple. A rugged hike to a 200-foot-wide boiling lake. A dive into the heart of a blue hole.

Far beyond the beach, theres another side of the Caribbean, of mountains and rainforests and frontiers. Whether youre exploring the untouched outback of Andros or venturing through the Belizean rainforest, the Caribbeans natural environment is one of the worlds great adventure destinations, blessed with a surfeit of unforgettable experiences.

And certain hotels in the region make adventure their specialty, both in their design and their itineraries, drawing travelers searching for new ways to enjoy the Caribbean ecosystem.

Here are the best adventure hotels in the Caribbean.

Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros, The Bahamas The ultimate Caribbean adventure hotel. This legendary resort is set on South Andros in The Bahamas, a portal to every adventure you can imagine: bonefishing and deep sea fishing; diving and snorkeling; nature tours across caves and blue holes; birding; kayaking; and the feeling of discovering one of the great untouched wildernesses in all of the Caribbean.

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The 10 Best Adventure Hotels in the Caribbean - Caribbean Journal

KINGSTOWN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has exported a cargo of 110 pounds (49.8 kilos) of medical cannabis after receiving a license for export to Germany, according to official announcements and a local official familiar with the matter.

Saint Vincent, a Caribbean nation with a population of just over 110,000 people, has for years developed its local cannabis industry. In 2018, Saint Vincent created a state agency to oversee licensing and ensure its medical cannabis is available to local patients.

The shipment left on Jan. 18 and is expected to arrive in Germany on Jan. 19, said the official, who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Register

The cargo was sold by Caribbean Cannabis Company, which already markets several products locally, according to the source.

Caribbean Cannabis Company did not respond to a request for comment.

St Vincent Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar said on Jan. 7 that Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices had approved a license for the shipment.

"St. Vincent and the Grenadines is ready for global business in the Medicinal Wellness Industry space," Caesar said, adding the government hopes to develop other wellness products including traditional medicines and the emerging field of psychedelic medicine.

He said it was the first medical cannabis export by a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, made up of 11 nations and overseas territories on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea.

Register

Reporting by Robertson S Henry in Kingstown; writing by Brian Ellsworth in Caracas; Editing by Leslie Adler

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Sat. Jan. 22, 2022: Curacao is one of the best islands in the Caribbean. Its known for its multi-acre national parks, including Christoffel Park, which is home to some of the most incredible beaches in the world. The countrys largest industry is tourism, and it has plenty to offer visitorsfrom diving sites near Willemstad to remote natural areas like Christoffel National Park. Curacao is a hidden gem and promises an experience with a difference. If youre looking for an unforgettable Caribbean vacation, Curacao should be at the top of your list.

Tourist Attraction

Tourism on Curacao Island includes hotels, casinos, restaurants and bars, nightclubs, shopping centres and malls, supermarkets, live entertainment venues and movie theatres. A variety of restaurants can be found in Willemstad with a wide range of seafood dishes being available. In addition to the food industry, there are many shopping markets situated on the island. These shops include designer names such as Lacoste and Hugo Boss.

In Curaao, you will find a variety of entertainment venues from live music to casinos to nightclubs. One great example is the Sunset Strip which offers spectacular views of the Caribbean coastline as well as a sense that anything is possible.

Try visiting during Carnival where there are parades through town every night leading up to Ash Wednesday that feature spectacular costumes made of beads strung together by hand; its truly one of a kind.

Ranked in the top 10 most popular destinations

Curaao has been ranked as one of the top ten most popular tourist destinations for Americans. This is because it offers a diverse range of activities and attractions that are perfect for visitors of all ages. From the stunning beaches to the fascinating history, there is something for everyone on this beautiful island. Curaao is sure to leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

Contribution of tourism to GDP

Tourism accounts for over 50% of Curacaos GDP and it continues to grow each year. The country has a wide variety of attractions that draw tourists from all over the world, including its stunning beaches, diverse culture, and rich history. There are also plenty of activities and events to keep visitors entertained, such as the annual Carnival celebration.

The largest industry in Curacao is tourism and the country is looking to increase its revenue from US clients by 20% in one year. This will be done by expanding the marketing efforts to include more of the US market. The country is also looking to improve the infrastructure to make it more appealing to tourists. This growth can be attributed to Curaaos many attractions, including its multi-acre national parks and world-class beaches.

Why should you go to Curacao?

People come to Curacao for many reasons, but the top three reasons are jobs, climate, and culture. Curacao is known for its hospitality industry, which employs many people on the island. The weather is also a major draw, with the tropical climate providing plenty of sun and warmth year-round. And finally, the culture of Curacao is rich and diverse, with a history that spans centuries. There is something for everyone on this beautiful island, so be sure to visit Curacao soon.

Oil refining industry

In the 1920s, Curaao became an important port for Venezuela due to its proximity and was home to many Venezuelan immigrants. This influx led them into entrepreneurship which created a significant portion of goods traded between both countries before World War II began but after it had ended they found themselves Boomicked out with no supplies or means by way on what to produce so most people depended heavily upon food shipments from abroad until 1948 when Sint Maartens newfound resources made it possible once more; this time Oil.

Other industries

An industry that has increased in recent years is gambling and by extension, casinos and sports betting, especially online. Curacao is home to some of the globes top gambling authorities, like Curacao eGaming and Curacao Antillephone. So, there are many gambling sites that hold a license issued by the authorities that are based in this small island country. Those sites are popular among players from all over the world who check their reviews, like the renowned Red Lion Casino review, before placing their bets online.

Another industry that has shown a major increase, mainly due to an increase in tourism, is construction for hotels and resorts As Curacao becomes more popular, the tourism industry will continue to grow and with it, the need for new hotels and resorts. This is great news for those looking for work in the hospitality industry.

The other industries in Curacao include the financial sector, utilities, and logistics. The financial sector is a major employer on the island and is responsible for the majority of the GDP. The utility sector provides water, power, and telecommunications to the island, and the logistics sector is responsible for moving goods in and out of Curacao. These three sectors are essential to the operation of Curacao and contribute greatly to its economy.

Curaaos economy is based on agriculture, fishing, and forestry. Curacao has some calcium phosphate mining; salt was previously processed but now there are no large-scale businesses in this industry due to competition from China for example. Sugarcane farms were established by both Saint Martin as well Sint Eustatius however after overgrazing these crops became unproductive so new small-scale agricultural ventures including the cultivation of aloes for pharmaceutical products or oranges which can be used to make Curaaoan liqueur started up again creating jobs especially around harvest time when workers need employment most like construction work if youre looking online right now check out any one of our local contractors theyll find what your needs.

The largest industry in Curacao is tourism. Curaao is a hidden gem and quite possibly everything youve ever wanted out of a vacation destination. A rather provocative statement, however, wait till you see what that great Caribbean island has to provide you with everything from national parks, like Christoffel, known for its striking natural beauty, to some of the most incredible beaches in the Caribbean. Curaao is known for many things, it is one of those destinations that promises an experience with a difference and delivers.

In conclusion, Curacao Island is a great place to visit if youre looking for an amazing Caribbean vacation with plenty of activities and attractions available. With its stunning beaches, rich culture, and interesting history, theres something for everyone on this beautiful island. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today but make sure you check all COVID-19 protocols before booking.

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Curacao: One Of The Best Islands In The Caribbean - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas