Caribbean To Benefit From EU-Funded Digital Connectivity In The Face Of COVID-19

• The European Union (EU) is providing funding for the Digital Response Connecting Citizens (DIRECCT) program aimed at strengthening the resilience of the health, education, and small business sectors in the Caribbean to cope with current and future crises. 
• Executive Director of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Dr. Joy St. John, said the Caribbean region will benefit from this program through strengthened health information systems and increased capacity for early detection, response, monitoring, and reporting of public health threats and emerging diseases. 
• Likewise, Executive Director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Export Development Agency, Deodat Maharaj, affirmed the agency’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ultimately help Caribbean businesses and entrepreneurs take advantage of digital technologies to build their resilience and sustainability. 
• Digital transformation and innovation are key priorities in the EU’s engagement with the Caribbean. The EU plans to step up its digital engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean through a Digital Alliance. The aim is to combine both regions’ interests, strengths, and capacities, to jointly address the digital divide and achieve inclusive digital transformation.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)