Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), in collaboration with the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), has successfully concluded the Regional GOARN Tier 1.5 Orientation to National and International Outbreak Response Workshop, followed by an Evaluation Workshop of CARPHA’s response plans and mechanisms, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the Region’s capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies.
This first of its kind three-day event in the Caribbean, consisting of two outbreak response workshops back-to-back – held from August 18–20, was funded through The Pandemic Fund Grant, with CARPHA serving as the Executing Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity. It brought together 34 participants, comprising representatives from 10 CARPHA Member States along with CARPHA personnel based in Trinidad and Tobago. Attendees included emergency response focal points from ministries of health, public health surveillance officers, laboratory professionals, and specialists in risk communication and One Health – an approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in the prevention and control of disease threats.
These intensive workshops were designed to help close identified gaps in the Region’s emergency response architecture, particularly in relation to the deployable response workforce, internal operational processes, and multisectoral coordination mechanisms. Strengthening these areas is essential for improving both the speed and the effectiveness of regional responses to fast-evolving health threats, such as pandemics, vector-borne diseases, and other acute public health emergencies.
Through a combination of classroom sessions, hands-on simulation exercises and facilitated discussions, the GOARN workshop exposed participants to the transferable skills and key considerations required for effective international deployment and provided insight into deployment mechanisms and processes. The accompanying response plan review then examined CARPHA’s capacity and capability to respond, using relevant scenarios to stress test existing plans and procedures, clarify roles and decision-making arrangements, and identify practical improvements in multisectoral coordination.
This practical approach ensured that participants left the training with enhanced technical skills and the confidence to apply them in high-pressure situations.
Dr. Lisa Indar, Executive Director of CARPHA, praised the collaborative effort and its impact:
“These workshops strengthen our collective readiness to face the next public health emergency. By enhancing the skills of our regional deployers and testing our coordination protocols under realistic conditions, we are ensuring that CARPHA and its Member States can respond quickly and decisively when outbreaks occur. Our continued priority is the safeguarding of lives and protection of our livelihoods.”
Dr. Ed Newman, Director of the UK-PHRST and Co-Deputy Chair of the GOARN Steering Committee, noted the lasting value of the programme:
“We’re delighted to partner with CARPHA on this initiative in support of their vision to expand regional Public Health Emergency Response capacity and capability. Working alongside GOARN, we’re proud that UK-PHRST has the expertise to deliver these workshops, sharing our learning and experience and that of our partners – helping ensure CARPHA and its Member States are better equipped to respond to future public health emergencies. This partnership demonstrates the power of international collaboration in building resilient public health response systems and reflects our shared commitment to strengthening global health security.”
British High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, H.E. Jon Dean added “The UK is proud to have supported this important initiative through the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, in close partnership with CARPHA and WHO GOARN. The training represents a meaningful step toward strengthening the speed and effectiveness of public health emergency responses in Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean. This collaboration reflects the UK’s enduring commitment to regional cooperation, resilience, and shared learning with the Caribbean”
Delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Lackram Bodoe, highlighted the strategic importance of the collaborative effort underpinning the workshop. “This gathering represents far more than a training exercise. It is a strategic commitment to fortifying our collective defence against the ever-evolving threats of infectious diseases and public health emergencies. It is also a statement that the Caribbean, though small in size, stands united in purpose and prepared for action.”
By the close of the workshops, participants had tested and refined CARPHA’s regional outbreak coordination mechanisms, identified strengths and areas for improvement in operational readiness, and strengthened their ability to collaborate across borders and sectors. The knowledge and skills gained will now be integrated into national public health systems, expanding the region’s pool of professionals who are trained, tested, and ready for rapid deployment.
By building a skilled and responsive health emergency workforce and testing coordination protocols under realistic conditions, this initiative supports the long-term sustainability of emergency preparedness in the region and contributes directly to reducing the public health impact of future pandemics and other acute threats. In doing so, it advances one of the key goals of CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project – to ensure that Member States have the systems, infrastructure, and human resources in place to detect, respond to, and contain public health threats before they escalate.
About CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project
CARPHA is the Executing Agency for its Pandemic Fund Project, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the Implementing Entity. The goal of this Project, which spans from 2024 to 2026, is to Reduce the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPR). The objective is to support the reduction of the public health impact of pandemics in the Caribbean by building pandemic PPR surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory systems and workforce capacity, regionally at CARPHA and at country levels. This will reduce the transboundary spread of infectious diseases and improve regional and global health security. CARPHA is the beneficiary of the PF project and CARPHA Member States are the participants. Learn more via CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund webpage.
About UK-PHRST
The UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team is a key international partner in epidemic disease response. We partner with low- and-middle income countries to respond to infectious disease outbreaks before they develop into global health emergencies. We work closely with international organisations, partner country governments and non-governmental organisations to:
- Rapidly investigate and respond to disease outbreaks at their source in LMICs eligible for UK Official Development Assistance, with the aim of stopping a public health threat from becoming a broader health emergency.
- Conduct research to generate an evidence base for best practice in epidemic preparedness and response.
- Strengthen capacity for improved national response to disease outbreaks in LMICs.
We are an innovative partnership between the UK Health Security Agency and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, funded with UK aid by the UK Department of Health and Social Care.
About GOARN
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) is established and coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2000. The network aims to strengthen global health security by advancing public health emergency preparedness and response. Currently, the network includes over 320 institutions, encompassing national public health agencies, other government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other technical organizations. GOARN’s focus is on enhancing country-level operations and strengthening regional development, governance, and partner involvement in key areas such as alert and risk assessment, rapid response, training, and research.
By bringing together a wealth of expertise and resources, GOARN ensures that countries facing public health events can access timely support, and guidance to effectively contain and mitigate the spread of disease. Through its efforts, GOARN plays a critical role in improving global health preparedness and response, ensuring that the international community is better equipped to tackle the challenges posed by pandemics and epidemics.
