Training to build capacity in community leaders continues in an effort to build a stronger British Virgin Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development spearheaded a two-day Community Resilience Capacity Building Workshop in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Washington on September 10.

The sessions allowed for informal leaders, managers from government agencies, representatives of faith-based organisations and non-governmental agencies to strengthen the plans and response to each of their respective communities. Participants represented the East End/Long Look, Bell Vue/Hope Hill and Long Trench, Huntums Ghut, Brewer’s Bay, Purcell and Virgin Gorda communities.

The Community Resilience project is spearheaded by the Public Health Unit in the Ministry of Health and Social Development. It is a special project funded through the Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Loan (RRL) Caribbean Development (CDB) and facilitated by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Technical expertise in community resilience is being provided by RAND Corporation.

PAHO Washington will also provide additional funding for the technical support by the consultant from RAND Cooperation to targeted communities who have completed a draft community plan. Those communities are Brewer’s Bay (Brewer’s Bay Action Committee); Belle Vue/Hope Hill/Long Trench (Central Ridge Community Action Team); Purcell/Free Bottom/Baughers Bay/Johnson’s Ghut/Fort Hill; and Virgin Gorda.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates human development and quality of life in the British Virgin Islands.

Photo: Community leaders presenting during the Community Resilience Capacity Building Workshop on September 10, 2019. (Photo Credit: MHSD)