Bridgetown, Barbados (May 27, 2025) – The Caribbean Community (Caricom) Chairman and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, has officially inaugurated the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub and Centre of Excellence. This pivotal facility aims to enhance the region’s effectiveness in responding to disasters and humanitarian challenges.
During the launch ceremony held at the Grantley Adams International Airport, Prime Minister Mottley highlighted Barbados’ strategic location as a key factor in establishing the hub. She emphasized that, being the most easterly island in the Caribbean, it serves as a safe and efficient logistical point for emergency supplies.
“If you have to wait for stuff to come from Panama, that’s 1,200 miles away. If you have to bring stuff from Miami, it’s 1,500 miles away,” she noted. The primary goal of this hub is to ensure that food, medicine, and essential supplies reach affected populations within 48 to 72 hours following a major emergency.
“This hub is about saving lives. Let’s be very, very clear,” stated Mottley, addressing an audience that included representatives from the diplomatic corps, regional agencies, and international development partners. She also pointed out that the hub’s operations would extend beyond disaster responses to encompass humanitarian crises, particularly stressing the dire situation in Haiti, where nearly half the population is reported to suffer from food insecurity.
The logistics hub features impressive infrastructure, boasting:
| Facility Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Total Storage Space | 2,500 square meters |
| Pallet Positions | 1,300 |
| Temperature-Controlled Storage | Yes |
Developed through a collaboration between the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Barbados government, the hub has received financial backing from notable entities including Canada, the European Union, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lola Castro, WFP’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, remarked on the importance of the hub in enhancing emergency response capabilities within a region prone to various hazards. “Having seen how devastating hurricanes and other hazards can be, we are proud to have this Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub in place,” she commented.
Elizabeth Riley, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), referred to the establishment of the hub as the realization of a long-held vision that gained urgency during the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted the significant uptick in CDEMA activations over the past five years, 84% of which were triggered by climate-related events.
Additionally, the Centre of Excellence integrated within the hub will focus on improving the skills and preparedness of disaster responders throughout the region via training and simulation practices.
As the Caribbean faces increasing threats from climate change and natural disasters, this logistics hub represents a crucial advancement in humanitarian response capabilities, underscoring the collective effort of Caribbean nations to better safeguard their communities.
