CARPHA and Small Arms Survey partner to advance Caribbean health and security frameworks

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Small Arms Survey formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of arms and ammunition management and reducing the risks associated with illicit small arms and light weapons in the Caribbean region.

This 3-year agreement reflects a shared commitment to addressing the multifaceted impacts of violence, illicit firearms, and crime on population health, health systems, and sustainable development. By combining CARPHA’s public health leadership with the Small Arms Survey’s internationally recognised expertise in arms monitoring and security-related research, this partnership will expand regional capacity for evidence-based decision-making.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, CARPHA Executive Director Dr Lisa Indar shared the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration. “Violence and firearm-related injuries present a growing public health challenge for the Caribbean. This MoU allows us to strengthen surveillance, generate robust research, and support our Member States through data-driven policies that protect lives and improve community well-being.”

Representing the Small Arms Survey, Dr Nicolas Florquin, Head, Data and Analytics, welcomed the partnership as a strategic step toward enhancing the region’s response to security threats. “We are proud to deepen our relationship with CARPHA. It has been a great privilege to partner with the leading regional agency on public health in a fruitful collaboration since 2023. We look forward to deepening the cooperation through this agreement.”

Under the MoU, CARPHA will contribute its operational expertise in regional health surveillance while the Small Arms Survey will complement this with its robust policy engagement, technical assistance and capacity support to national institutions, as well as its recognised expertise in evidence-based research, data generation and the development of tools that inform and improve policy and practice.

The primary objectives of this partnership include:

• Data Collection and Surveillance: Collaboration on integrating firearm-related injury and mortality data into national and regional health surveillance systems
• Research, Analysis and Public Policy: Preparation of joint studies on the health burden of firearm violence
• Capacity Building: Development of materials and delivery of workshops for Ministries of Health, Justice, Legal Affairs and Security on applying a public health lens to firearm policy
• Policy Translation and Advocacy: Provision of support to Caricom, national governments and international development organisations for evidence-based policymaking on gun control and violence prevention guided by the public health approach
• Communications and Public Awareness: Facilitation of the use of research findings in communication products for policymakers and the public

This partnership underscores CARPHA’s commitment to advancing regional health security, while supporting Member States in creating safer, healthier environments for all Caribbean people.

The Small Arms Survey is a centre for applied knowledge dedicated to preventing and reducing illicit small arms proliferation and armed violence. It is an associated programme of the Geneva Graduate Institute, located in Switzerland. The Small Arms Survey strengthens the capacity of governments and practitioners to reduce illicit arms flows and armed violence through three mutually reinforcing activities: the generation of policy-relevant knowledge, the development of authoritative resources and tools, and the provision of training and other services.

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