The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has officially opened its Regional Emergency Operations Centre (CREOC), a major new facility aimed at improving the Caribbean’s ability to prepare for, coordinate and respond to public health emergencies and disasters.
According to a CARPHA press release, the centre was inaugurated on Friday, July 3, 2026, during a ceremony at the agency’s headquarters in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The official opening was led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Health, The Honourable Dr. Lackram Bodoe, European Union Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Cécile Tassin, and CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar.
The press release said the Regional Emergency Operations Centre was constructed and equipped with funding from the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme of Support for Health Security Strengthening for Prevention and Control of Outbreaks of Communicable Diseases in the Caribbean.
The facility has been established as the Caribbean’s primary hub for coordinating regional public health preparedness, emergency response, recovery efforts and resilience-building across CARPHA’s 26 Member States.
Addressing the inauguration, Dr. Lackram Bodoe highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in protecting public health.
“Health security is a shared responsibility. No single country, regardless of its resources, can address modern public health threats in isolation. Our strength lies in partnership.”
CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar said the region’s interconnected nature makes collaboration essential when responding to health emergencies.
“As a region of Small Island Developing States, our interconnected economies, borders and communities mean that public health threats can spread rapidly across the Caribbean. This Emergency Operations Centre will strengthen our ability to detect threats early, coordinate regional action and protect the health security of our people.”
European Union Ambassador Her Excellency Cécile Tassin also underscored the significance of the new facility.
“This Centre represents something much larger: the Caribbean’s determination to work together, to strengthen regional health security, and to protect its people through solidarity, preparedness and shared expertise.”
As per the press release, the centre was designed in line with the World Health Organization’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Framework and has been designated a Type C Emergency Operations Centre—the highest operational classification under the WHO system. This allows it to coordinate complex public health emergencies involving multiple countries while also supporting national Emergency Operations Centres throughout the Caribbean.
CARPHA said the centre will strengthen its ability to identify emerging health threats, coordinate preparedness and emergency response activities, share critical information across the region, conduct regional risk assessments, mobilise technical specialists and support evidence-based decision-making during crises.
The new facility is powered by CARPHA’s Caribbean-tailored Regional Integrated Early Warning Surveillance and Response System (RIEWSS), which is designed to improve early detection of health threats, enhance situational awareness and support faster, evidence-based emergency responses. Combined with Timeliness Metrics and multisectoral response mechanisms, the system is expected to improve coordination among Member States and speed up action during emergencies.
The CREOC will also serve as the region’s central coordination point for Ministries of Health, disaster management agencies, regional organisations and international partners. It will oversee the deployment of specialised technical teams, coordinate emergency logistics, support risk communication efforts and maintain a shared regional operating picture throughout public health events.
The press release noted that the creation of the centre was informed by lessons learned from recent regional emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, dengue outbreaks, Hurricanes Melissa and Beryl, and other climate-related disasters that highlighted the need for stronger regional coordination.
CARPHA said the Emergency Operations Centre will operate under a scalable activation model that ranges from routine surveillance and monitoring to full regional emergency activation. This flexible approach will allow the agency to rapidly expand its coordination efforts as situations develop.
The centre is expected to support responses to infectious disease outbreaks, severe weather events with public health impacts, environmental and chemical incidents, mass gatherings, and other emergencies with regional or international public health implications.
In addition, the facility will help strengthen implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005) by improving regional surveillance, emergency coordination, operational readiness and information management.
The Agency said that the inauguration of the Regional Emergency Operations Centre reflects its ongoing commitment to enhancing regional health security and ensuring Caribbean countries are better prepared to respond to both current and emerging public health threats.
