CCRIF Partners with CelsiusPro to Launch the CCRIF Microinsurance Facility and Accompanying Digital Platform Solution to Scale Up Access to Inclusive Insurance… towards protecting lives and livelihoods impacted by climate-related events.

Cayman Islands, 7 July 2025. On the margins of London Climate Action Week in June 2025, CCRIF in partnership with CelsiusPro and its subsidiary, Global Parametrics, launched the CCRIF Microinsurance Facility as well as the underlying digital insurance administrative platform solution, the White Label Platform. This platform will allow for the efficient administration of microinsurance products (from product pricing to risk capacity management, policy management and settlement of claims) and enable multiple insurance companies to partner with CCRIF to roll out and market microinsurance products to new and existing customers. CCRIF CEO, Mr. Isaac Anthony, described this new partnership as a game changer, with the overarching objective of reducing vulnerability, leaving ‘no one behind’ and further closing the protection gap. 

In applauding the partnership, Mr. Anthony stated that, “The CCRIF Microinsurance Facility will bring microinsurance or inclusive insurance into the hands of millions of persons across the Caribbean (and later on to Central America), thereby protecting lives and livelihoods in the face of the increasing frequency, intensity and unpredictability of hydrometeorological events associated with climate change that are bringing many hardships to low-income groups.”

Mr. Mark Rueegg, CEO of CelsiusPro, stated that, "We are grateful for the support of the Natural Disaster Fund to equip CCRIF and their partners with CelsiusPro's advanced parametric insurance technology. Our White Label Platform will help build an insurance ecosystem that reaches vulnerable communities across all CCRIF member countries."

Mr. Anthony stressed that CCRIF is well positioned to provide a platform to scale up microinsurance offerings in the countries that it has provided parametric insurance coverage to for the last 18 years. CCRIF operates as the Caribbean and Central America Parametric Insurance Facility and Development Insurer. CCRIF is a leader in bringing to market parametric insurance products for governments and key economic sectors. Today, CCRIF provides coverage to 30 members in the Caribbean and Central America and since its inception in 2007, has made 78 payouts totalling US$390 million. Today CCRIF has 7 parametric insurance products for tropical cyclones, excess rainfall, fluvial flooding, earthquakes, and for the electric, water and fisheries sectors.

This initiative is being supported with a grant from the Natural Disaster Fund (NDF), which is a blended risk transfer vehicle designed to mitigate the challenges in climate and natural catastrophes (NatCat) resilience for low-and-middle-income countries. The NDF is funded by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Germany’s development bank KfW on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The first product to be offered by the CCRIF Microinsurance Facility through the CelsiusPro White Label Platform would be the Livelihood Protection Policy (LPP), which is a parametric weather index-based insurance product that offers insurance coverage for wind that is associated with tropical storms and hurricanes and rainfall that occurs any time during the year. It is designed to protect the livelihoods of vulnerable, low-income individuals by providing quick cash payouts following extreme weather events. Payouts are tied to a series of thresholds for wind speed and rainfall and can therefore be made very quickly (within 14 days as is customary for CCRIF’s other parametric insurance policies), as there is no need to undertake on-the-ground damage or impact assessments.

The LPP targets small farmers, fishers, market vendors, food vendors, day labourers, construction workers, tourism workers and persons who own micro and small businesses, etc. 

Payouts under the LPP will help persons to get their “livelihood” back on track without them having to wait for help from “external” sources such as the Government, friends, family, or from remittances etc. For example, if a farmer purchases the LPP, he or she will have a source of immediate funding to undertake activities such as draining fields, replanting, and reconstructing irrigation systems if the insurance policy triggers.

Historically, CCRIF’s expansion into microinsurance was based on a version of the LPP, developed and tested as part of the Climate Risk Adaptation and Insurance in the Caribbean (CRAIC) project in collaboration with the Munich Climate Insurance Initiative (MCII). MCII and CCRIF have been partners since 2011 studying the microinsurance landscape through research on the market and on vulnerable groups, learning lessons from the first introduction of the LPP in 2014 in 2 countries in the Caribbean and working to build capacity of key stakeholders, including insurance companies and regulators, to better understand climate risk insurance and microinsurance and how microinsurance could be applied within the context of social protection policies. Over the years, CCRIF has introduced ideas around scaling up microinsurance that have found favour with governments and have expanded the number of groups (e.g. seasonal tourism workers and others in the tourism value chain such as taxi drivers, small-scale entertainers, etc.) that could benefit from the LPP.

This current version of the LPP is underpinned by CCRIF’s state-of-the-art parametric insurance models, which are specifically customized for the Caribbean and Central America. CCRIF continues to push the innovation needle, by using its base models for tropical cyclones and excess rainfall to create products for sectors that either have no insurance or limited access to insurance or for underserved groups that need insurance. The LPP is an example of this innovation.

The LPP is expected to bring immeasurable benefits to the Caribbean. Not only will it play a key role in closing the protection gap, but for low-income groups, would provide some level of financial stability through the injection of quick liquidity or cash payouts, allowing them to avoid adopting coping strategies that could lead them into poverty. The LPP will also help to improve the credit worthiness of individuals in the long term, giving them access to financial services that they previously may not have had access to. The LPP will also play a key role in supporting governments’ policy goals related to financial inclusion – enabling underserved persons to participate in the financial system and over time benefit from the various services that the financial sector provides.

The LPP will initially be offered in 5 countries – Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad & Tobago.


CHTA announces return of CHIEF and Taste of the Caribbean, to be held in Barbados.

BARBADOS:---  The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is pleased to announce the return of the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean, set to take place November 16–18, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort.

As cornerstones of CHTA’s professional development and industry engagement platform—created by and for the Caribbean hospitality community—CHIEF and Taste of the Caribbean will bring together industry leaders, rising professionals and culinary talent from across the region. The events aim to foster knowledge sharing, showcase innovation and celebrate the vibrant culture and creativity that define Caribbean tourism.

CHIEF, CHTA’s premier educational and networking forum, will once again spotlight innovation, leadership, and practical strategies to address the tourism sector’s most pressing challenges. This year’s theme, “Innovating Caribbean Tourism for a Disrupted World: Adapting with Purpose, Leading with People, Planning for Permanence,” sets the tone for a robust lineup of immersive workshops and skills-building sessions led by a soon-to-be-announced roster of thought leaders. 

“From culinary trends to operational strategy, CHIEF attendees gain practical tools to elevate their businesses and careers across the Caribbean,” said CHTA CEO Vanessa Ledesma. “This year’s workshops will dive even deeper, equipping participants with actionable insights from some of the industry’s most dynamic voices, making CHIEF a must-attend for forward-thinking professionals.”

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen regional supply chains and drive innovation, this year’s CHIEF will additionally include a Linkages Showcase. This dynamic marketplace will connect local and regional vendors with hotels, resorts, and other tourism-related businesses, encouraging more Caribbean sourcing and collaboration. Building upon its recent partnership with the Global Alliance for Innovation in Tourism (GAIN), this year’s event will also feature a broader range of technology providers and hospitality tech efforts, offering attendees access to the tools and insights shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

Running concurrently, Taste of the Caribbean will return with its signature culinary competitions, celebrating the flavors, creativity, and talent of the region’s best chefs and mixologists. Competitors will vie for top honors in four individual categories—Caribbean Chef of the Year, Junior Chef, Bartender, and Pastry Chef, all while earning valuable exposure and professional development.

Registration details for both events will be announced soon. Sponsorship opportunities are available on a limited basis; inquiries can be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information, visit www.chtachief.com.
 

Lecture & Documentary hosted at University of St. Martin to commemorate Emancipation Day on July 1st 2025

emancipation08072025PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 1st, 2025, in commemoration of Emancipation Day, the Department of Culture, in collaboration with the University of St. Martin, hosted a lecture and documentary. The lecture entitled “Remember Africa’s Children: The Power of 3” was presented by Dr. Jay Haviser of SIMARC, while the documentary “AWO, NOW, NU” was unveiled by Educator Roland Roi Colastica.

Dr. Jay Haviser, in his presentation, outlined the 2010 recovery of three human skeletons in Philipsburg, which were confirmed to be First-Generation Africans, working salt as enslaved laborers around 1660-1680. Through advanced genetics research by the University of Copenhagen, with additional Strontium Isotope research, the precise locations of origin were determined for these three who were found on Zout Steeg, and thus have come to be known as the Zout Steeg Three. From these investigations, the Zout Steeg Three were recognized as among the Top-Ten archaeological discoveries of 2015 by Archaeology Magazine. As well, long-term goals for international plans of repatriation of these remains to their homelands in West Africa were also presented.

“AWO, NOW, NU” is a documentary by Educator Roland Roi Colastica that explores the opinions of the youth within the Dutch Caribbean territories by means of video interviews. Mr. Colastica premiered the 1st of 3 episodes on Emancipation Day on Sint Maarten with the intention to roll it out to all the islands in the near future. “What do you know about slavery and when were you first taught about it in school?” The documentary engages the youth to answer these questions and more concerning the impact and legacy of the descendants of Africans who were enslaved in slavery and how they experience race relations within their communities on the Dutch Caribbean islands.  

Emancipation Day on July 1st was the first public holiday established by the Parliament of Sint Maarten since becoming a Country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on October 10th 2010. Every year the Department of Culture hosts the Emancipation Day celebration at different venues throughout the island as a means to bring the community together as one people to reflect on the atrocities and inhumane conditions that our ancestors experienced. Emancipation Day is also a day to pay homage to the freedom fighters that fought for their human rights to be a free people throughout the period of enslavement until they achieved their goal.

Anguilla Police Officer charged with importation of illegal drug.

The Valley, Anguilla:--- July 8, 2025- The Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) confirms that HM Customs and Excise have charged a serving police constable in connection with the alleged importation of a controlled drug.
The charge relates to a small package that was referred to HM Customs following routine screening at the General Post Office. On Friday, 4th July 2025, the officer was contacted by the Post Office to collect the package. Upon arrival, he was informed that the package was with Customs. During inspection, approximately 0.7 grams of what appeared to be cannabis seeds were discovered. HM Customs subsequently charged the officer on the same day.
The constable is currently on suspension pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
The Royal Anguilla Police Force takes all allegations of this nature seriously and continues to cooperate fully with HM Customs as the lead investigating agency.
As this is an active legal matter, no further comment will be made at this time. The RAPF reminds the public that all persons are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
Members of the public are also urged to rely on official sources for accurate and verified information regarding this or any other police matter.

CPS Gears Up to Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2025.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a division of Youth Health Care within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), is proud to announce its plans to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week (WBW), observed annually from August 1 to 7.

This year’s theme is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems.”

CPS is partnering with the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) to raise awareness about the critical role of breastfeeding in ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and children.

Breastfeeding is a natural and powerful act that provides unmatched health, nutritional, and emotional benefits. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), supporting parents —especially mothers— is essential to giving every child the best possible start in life. Breastfeeding is a cornerstone of that support.

Breastmilk is the ideal nourishment for infants: it is safe, clean, and rich in antibodies that protect against common childhood illnesses.

It provides all the energy and nutrients an infant need in the early months and continues to offer significant nutritional value well into the second year of life.

Research shows that breast-fed children perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to become overweight or obese, and have a lower risk of developing diabetes later in life.

Mothers who breastfeed also benefit, with a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

This year’s WBW campaign will feature a variety of activities aimed at engaging the community, including: A Breastfeeding Photo Competition ending August 1, 2025; Guest appearances on local radio programs to discuss the importance of breastfeeding; A Sip and Paint event for mothers and pregnant women; A Soothing Walk for pregnant women and moms; A series of press releases and awareness messages; A Mom’s Fair on August 9.

For more information on the planned activities, please contact the SMMC Pediatric or OB/GYN wards, White & Yellow Cross District Nursing, or CPS.

Be sure to look out for their full calendar of events on all their social media platforms.

For direct inquiries, contact CPS at (721) 542-3003 or WhatsApp (721 520-4163).


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