Special Events

(a) Hurricane Relief

When we signed on to the NGO Plan of Action for Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, we warned about the regions vulnerability to Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Volcanoes and the need for Disaster Preparedness, Prevention and Management. The recent spate of hurricanes has laid bare the soft “under belly”. We are all at risk.

Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Jamaica, Bahamas, Cayman Island, Haiti, Cuba, have all been touched, some with a heavier hand than others.

The CAFRA Chairperson – Margaret Gill asked that CAFRA members organise to send relief to women, children and the elderly and by extension – families. Items concentrated on were diapers for babies, as well as elderly sanitary napkins, toiletries, medicines for infants and adults such as Tylenol, Vicks, etc.

The Regional Committee Meeting which brought together country representatives discussed the impact of the hurricanes on each country. Membership organised in their own countries and joined coalition to ensure that relief reached the most needy. The area of disaster management features in CAFRA’s strategic plan 2004-2006.

(b) Haiti

There was concern in the region as to the role of the U.S.A in the removal from office of President Jean Bertrand Aristide of Haiti. Several Caribbean Women’s NGOs issued a statement to this effect. This was interpreted by CAFRA members in Haiti as a CAFRA statement. CAFRA subsequently came under attack by a group of Civil Society organisations in Haiti who did not support the return of President Aristide.

Following several exchanges with CAFRA member group ENFOFANM, it was agreed that a CAFRA delegation would visit Haiti. At first it was thought that the CAFRA Chairperson could go as part of a UNIFEM Mission to Haiti, but this did not materialise. UNIFEM has however reserved funds for one CAFRA member. As soon as additional funds are raised, the mission will make the visit which is now more critical since that country was hit by Hurricane.

(c) Women’s Choice on Pregnancy Bill

UNSAFE Abortion is an issue of concern to some NGOs in Trinidad and Tobago, including women’s NGOs. One such group Advocates for Safe Parenthood: Improving Reproductive Equity (ASPIRE), has produced a Draft Bill Short titled “Women’s Choice on Pregnancy Bill”. This Bill seeks to enhance women’s reproductive health, to secure access to voluntary, lawful, safe abortion for all women, and to provide for matters connected therewith. ASPIRE is seeking CAFRA’s support, in lobbying for this Bill to become Law in Trinidad and Tobago. A statement on abortion released by CAFRA T&T in 1994, and another by a group of men’s and women’s organisations in Guyana in 1993 were circulated to CAFRA members along with a copy of the Draft Bill.