Special Development Fund 11

Water security remains a concern for the Region. Recent data indicates that the Caribbean ranks among the most water-stressed regions in the world.

In the Caribbean, there are over 12 million children, and regional data indicates that while participation and learning are improving, there remains significant gaps to be addressed in the education sector.

Despite improvements over the past two decades, poverty rates in the Caribbean still average around 26-30%. As a result, citizens across the Region have limited access to basic services like healthcare, clean water, and adequate food and nutrition.

Did you know that only about 53% of roads in the Caribbean are paved, leaving many communities disconnected and hindering economic growth? This glaring infrastructure gap underscores the urgent need for investment and innovation in the region. 

Climate change poses a major challenge to the Caribbean's small island developing states, with the potential to wipe out as much as 3.6% of its GDP. In fact, the United Nations has dubbed the Caribbean "ground zero" in the global climate crisis.

In the face of an unprecedented global COVID-19 crisis, the SDF helped Borrowing Member Countries mitigate the health, social, and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Resilient, effective, and responsive public institutions are the foundation of a brighter future for the Caribbean. Through strategic investments in training, technical assistance, and institutional strengthening, the SDF is building the capabilities of government institutions to deliver better outcomes for their citizens.