US restates US$28M to Caribbean as President Ali, other leaders meet Kamala Harris

The United States government has reiterated its pledge of US$28 million in financing for Caribbean countries.

The announcement was made as President Dr. Irfaan Ali and other Caribbean leaders met with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday.

They identified food security as a top priority that should be addressed by the countries.

President Ali was joined by Caribbean Community leaders Keith Rowley, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago; Mia Mottley, the Prime Minister of Barbados and Chandrikapersad Santoki, the President of Suriname and the current CARICOM Chairman. Also joining these leaders was President of the Dominican Republic Luis Abinader.

The meeting with the Vice President is a follow-up to US President Joseph Biden’s and Harris’ commitments in their meeting with Caribbean leaders at the Summit of the Americas in June 2022 to partner with the region to promote energy security, access to finance, and food security in the Caribbean.

Food security, which is the responsibility of President Ali in the CARICOM quasi-cabinet, is viewed as a crucial consideration.

In fact, following the meeting, Vice President Harris tweeted that addressing food insecurity remains a top priority for the Biden/ Harris administration.

“Disruptions from the pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the climate crisis have put pressure on global food prices and led to food shortages.

“Addressing food insecurity remains a priority for our Administration, and we’ve committed $28 million in assistance to the Caribbean,” Harris tweeted after the meeting.