The Carissa F. Etienne Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functions as a centralized location for coordination and control of health-related emergency response activities for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, and the wider Caribbean when required. It is a physical location and dedicated space located at the PAHO Barbados building, under the management of the PAHO/WHO Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and in collaboration with the PAHO Health Emergencies (PHE) Subregional Team and the PAHO Regional EOC.
PAHO officially named this facility the Carissa F. Etienne Emergency Operations Centre, in memory and honour of our beloved Director Emeritus. Dr. Etienne who was more than a leader—she was a tireless champion for equity, for universal health, and for strengthening emergency preparedness at all levels. This EOC is a living tribute to her vision and to her unwavering dedication to public health in the Americas.
The ongoing changing hazard landscape resulting from climate change and increasing vulnerability and exposure of countries heightened the need for the EOC. Several events over the years, such as COVID 19 2020-2023, Hurricanes Beryl 2024, Maria 2017, Irma 2017 and Dorian 2019, presented significant public health coordination and response demands, and an increasing range of public health challenges. Within this context the PAHO/WHO ECC EOC is seen as an essential element of the PAHO/WHO infrastructure and core to its emergency operations.
The Multi-country nature of the ECC Office, covering 13 countries and territories with high level of vulnerability to multi-hazards, necessitated the strengthening of capacities for emergency operations closer to countries. In addition, the PHE decentralized team strategically located in Barbados, serves as a hub for PAHO’s coordination with other Caribbean stakeholders. This is in alignment with the implementation of the Institutional Response to Emergencies and Disasters (IRED) policy.
The primary function of the PAHO/WHO ECCEOC during emergencies and disasters is to provide operational support to and coordinate the Organization’s response, including information management, resource allocation, deployment of surge capacity, logistics and strategic alliances.
This is where the team for the Incident Management System (IMS) operates during declared emergencies. The EOC will be the point of contact with the Ministry of Health EOC of affected countries and can provide back up support to impacted Health EOCs. In Barbados, this facility can be utilized when needed by the MOH and the United Nations.
In non-disaster situations, the EOC monitors and identifies other health crises that may require an ECC response. The EOC also provides a platform to strengthen integrated event-based surveillance, monitoring, collection and verification of data. It is a hub for capacity building, facilitating all hazard situational awareness and operational preparedness. It provides a space to organize and participate in simulation exercises. It is important to highlight that this EOC is not simply about infrastructure. It is about people, systems, and partnerships. It will be brought to life by the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of all who work within it—and those who work alongside it throughout the Caribbean.
