(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)     Chair of the  Spouses of the Caribbean Leaders Action Network (SCLAN), H.E. Kim Simplis Barrow, Spouse of the Prime Minister of Belize and Special Envoy for Women and Children in Belize extended deepest sympathy to the countries affected by the  recent  climatic events in the Caribbean and the US mainland.

“We particularly grieve and pray for those families suffering from the lost of loved ones” she said; and pledged the network’s support in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.

The following is the text of the message:

BEGINS

“On behalf of the Spouses of Caribbean Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) I extend my deepest regret to the Government and peoples of our Caribbean sister countries and the US mainland that have been affected by the current wave of hurricanes and storms.  We particularly grieve and pray for those families suffering from the lost of loved ones.

We pledge our support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of homes, offices, schools, churches and infrastructure  that will contribute to revival of the economies and the vibrant social life that make the Caribbean so special.”

ENDS

SCLAN is the advocacy and action platform to advance the Every Caribbean Woman Every Caribbean Child (CARIWAC) Initiative, formally titled ECWECC Initiative.  The CARIWAC Initiative aims to reduce teenage and adolescent pregnancy, cervical cancer, violence against women and children (including trafficking in persons) and to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV, in the Caribbean.

CARIWAC  was endorsed by Caribbean Community Heads of Government and, since its inception, has continued to receive  the support of CARICOM, UNFPA and other UN agencies. A strong partnership has also been forged with Gilead Sciences in advancing the Initiative

SCLAN was formally launched at a meeting of First Ladies and Spouses on 5 and 6 September 2017, in Belize, after two years of engagement and dialogue. At that meeting H.E. Ms Barrow was elected  as its first Chair, while H.E. Ms Sandra Granger, First Lady of Guyana was elected its Vice Chair. Other members of the Executive Body are Her Excellencies, Ms. Reema Carmona (Trinidad and Tobago); Ms. Maritine Moise (Haiti); and the Most Honorable Juliet Holness (Jamaica)