In 2024, WFP, in partnership with CDEMA, significantly advanced humanitarian supply chain and logistics capacities in Trinidad and Tobago, contributing to strengthened institutional capacity for gender-inclusive adaptation and disaster management. The rollout of the CDEMA Logistics System trained 24 disaster management personnel across 11 institutions, enhancing the government’s asset documentation and internal planning for hurricane preparedness. A simulation exercise engaged 13 professionals from 7 national institutions, testing emergency response mechanisms and fostering interagency coordination. In response to training gaps, WFP facilitated forklift certification for 17 individuals, equipping them with critical skills for emergency logistics. The embedding of a Logistics Associate within the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management contributed to the development of the National Logistic Plan and emergency response efforts, including an oil spill cleanup in Tobago. This comprehensive capacity-building approach not only enhances national disaster response capabilities but strengthens resilience and fosters coordinated emergency logistics across the region.

WFP, in collaboration with The Cropper Foundation, the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service, and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management advanced food security resilience in Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen food systems and increase access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations. As part of the National Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Month, 11 participants received specialized training on disaster preparedness, enhancing their ability to address climate-induced shocks and reinforcing youth engagement in agriculture. The seventh round of the Food Security and Livelihoods survey provided crucial data, with 40 per cent of surveyed households in Trinidad and Tobago reporting livelihood disruptions in 2024, particularly those with below-average incomes (47 per cent) and those reliant on remittances. These findings informed a country-specific report, equipping policymakers with data-driven insights to develop targeted interventions. Additionally, in 2024 for the first time, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago participated in the Regional Forum on School Meals in Latin America and the Caribbean organized by WFP in partnership with the Government of Mexico. There was an emphasis on utilizing data and sharing best practices which ultimately resulted in Trinidad and Tobago joining the international School Meals Coalition. WFP also partnered with government ministries and private sector actors to participate in six youth-focused agricultural caravans and major expos, thereby positioning agriculture as a sustainable career path for young people. By advocating for resilient food systems, delivering high-quality food security data and convening key partnerships, WFP’s initiatives support sustainable development and enhancing food security resilience in Trinidad and Tobago.

In 2024, the European Union-funded and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)-executed Zero Waste in the Caribbean project significantly enhanced coordination, policy dialogue and awareness on sustainable waste management through partnerships with Agence Française de Développement, the German Agency for International Cooperation and national stakeholders. The initiative engaged over 1,080 persons including key regional actors from the public and private sectors, NGOs and media, aligning efforts to promote a greener circular economy. A major milestone was the High-Level Forum (HLF-8) for Caribbean Ministers & Senior Sector Officials Responsible for Waste Management, convened in Trinidad and Tobago, and facilitated by the Ministry of Public Utilities and the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association. At this event, policymakers reaffirmed commitments to financing solid waste management and disaster waste response, culminating in the adoption of the Port of Spain Declaration 2024. By fostering multi-sectoral collaboration and strengthening policy frameworks, the project is driving the transition towards sustainable waste management in the Caribbean and reinforcing national commitment to environmental resilience.

The Building the Caribbean’s Next Generation of Media Literate Citizens project, spearheaded by the Public Media Alliance and supported by UNESCO, strengthened media and information literacy as part of the United Nation’s commitment. With engagement from the Media Institute of the Caribbean and the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, the initiative introduced interactive, hands-on learning experiences for schoolchildren, fostering critical thinking and digital literacy. Students from schools such as Caroni Hindu Primary, Picton Presbyterian Primary and Waterloo Secondary participated in workshops on media ethics, digital technology and news production, using peer-to-peer learning and creative exercises like “digital superhero” posters. Beyond education, the initiative aligns with broader disaster preparedness efforts by equipping young citizens with the skills to navigate and interpret information, ensuring they can access and disseminate reliable content before, during and after crises. By embedding media and information literacy (MIL) within the educational framework, this project lays the foundation for a more informed and resilient society, reinforcing the role of media in advancing sustainable development and disaster risk reduction in the Caribbean, in line with the 2030 Agenda.

Over the past year, the FAO, through the BIOREACH initiative, has made significant progress in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration across the country. FAO partnered with NAMDEVCO, to address the spread of coconut red ring disease by installing coconut weevil traps, safeguarding 195 hectares of coconut plantations. Then, in collaboration with the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), efforts to restore degraded forests led to the successful rehabilitation of five hectares of land. Additionally, an integrated wildfire management system was developed, with 75 forestry officers trained in wildfire prevention and response, strengthening national forest management.

The BIOREACH project also engaged 541 participants in Citizen Science initiatives. These included biodiversity monitoring, a large-scale riparian restoration effort where 10.5 km of riverbank was reforested with native species, and specialized bird-banding and monitoring training to assist the recovery of the White-tailed Sabrewing Hummingbird population. Further conservation efforts included initiatives for the critically endangered Trinidad Piping Guan (Pawi). Through a revised Management and Recovery Plan, stakeholders enhanced monitoring techniques by using acoustic sensors and artificial intelligence to track the bird’s population and habitat.

These conservation efforts not only aid wildlife but also benefit local communities by stabilizing riverbanks, improving water quality, reducing agricultural land fragmentation, and providing inclusive employment opportunities. Overall, these efforts align with global sustainability goals by promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and restoring critical habitats.