Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C) has released a Perspectives Paper on “Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Caribbean Water Sector.”
The Perspectives Paper was prepared by the GWP-C Technical Committee. It explores and highlights several key areas related to water that need urgent attention in the Caribbean’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:
- Ensuring safe, adequate and reliable access to potable water and sanitation services for vulnerable segments of society.
- Preparing for the impacts from extreme climate events.
- Preparing for increased household water demand.
- Promoting sound science-based decisions.
- Utilizing available technologies to increase online payment options for customers.
- Monitoring of source water and wastewater effluents.
- Importance of regional cooperation.
The Paper also discusses a future outlook, acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to advance thinking around Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). It shares that “Bridging the gap between policy and science and promoting broad stakeholder participation in decision-making processes could go a far way in improving the management of freshwater resources in the region.”
The new Perspectives Paper is intended to galvanise discussion within the GWP-C network and the larger water and development community. Download it here.
You may also explore the Caribbean Science Symposium on Water webpage. GWP-C will hold the Symposium in March 2021. The “Call for Papers” is currently open until July 31st, 2020.