World Food Programme Donates ICT Devices to Strengthen Vulnerability Data Collection and Information Management Systems

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, yesterday, received a donation of twelve (12) desktop computers, three (3) tablets and one (1) laptop from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), aimed at strengthening the management and efficiency of the Social Welfare Information Management System (SWIMS).

The handover ceremony took place in the Conference Room of the Ministry of

Health, Wellness and Social Services and brought together representatives of the

Ministry and the World Food Programme as well as other recipients of donations

from the WFP.

The devices will support the Department of Social Services in enhancing data

management, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening service delivery

to vulnerable individuals and families across Dominica.Twenty-two (22) tablets and two (2) desktop computers were also presented to support village councils across Dominica, through the Information Support System Unit and the Office of Disaster Management.

Programme Assistant at the United Nations World Food Programme Caribbean

Multi-Country Office, Dominica Satellite Office, Ayisha Richards, emphasized the

importance of continued collaboration and the use of digital tools in strengthening

social protection systems to meet the needs of citizens, particularly during times of

crisis.

“Together, these contributions support a broader goal, building stronger and more

responsive and shock-ready systems to better serve communities across Dominica.

WFP is proud to stand with the Government in this effort and we look forward to

continuing our collaboration to strengthen resilience and improve lives. This hand

over reflects our continued commitment to supporting Dominica in strengthening

digital social protection systems and empowering institutions both on the national

and community levels,” Richards stated.

Austin Lazarus, Computer Analyst with the Information System Support Unit

(ISSU), highlighted the role of digital transformation in improving accountability

and operational efficiency within local government systems.

“We have been supporting the councils through the PCAS primarily, which is

basically a system that allows digital conversion of receipt of payment, which has

been very impactful to the councils as well as the ministry and auditing. So with

the use of the tablets, the councils will definitely be more enhanced and more

efficient in their reporting, et cetera. So we're very much grateful for this donation

and ISSU is very much in partnership and in support of this movement,” he

reflected.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, Dr.

Kyra Paul, welcomed the donation and underscored the value of modernizing the

Ministry’s operations.“Most recently, we have developed what we call the SWMS, which is the Social Welfare Information Management System, a tool that will help with improvements and enhancements to our service delivery, introducing innovation and digital technology into the management and administration of our programs under the

Social Services Department. Obviously, these pieces of equipment will help us in

expanding our digital infrastructure. And of course, it's an opportune time to

demonstrate the kind of partnership that we've established with the ISSU Computer

Center, under the Ministry of Finance, and with the ODM,” Dr. Paul noted.

“Fortunately, with the support of WFP as well, we were able to develop the

DECHA form, which is a consolidated multi-stakeholder data collection tool to

collect Information on households and affected individuals post shock. We were

able to pilot the DECHA during the recent trough and it demonstrates that when

we pull resources together for data collection, the targeting of services can improve

and it can be more effective because it actually meets the specific needs of our

clients,” Dr Paul continued.

Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social

Services, Honourable Dr. Cassandra Williams, expressed gratitude to the World

Food Programme for its continued partnership and support to Dominica’s social

sector.

“We thank you so much on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social

Services for your partnership. You've been a partner to the Government of

Dominica. You've helped us in so many ways and you have stuck with us and

we're very grateful for that. We look forward to this. And I know, it will definitely

enhance the efficiency of delivery within the Social Services Department,”

Minister Williams stated.

She further emphasized that strong social protection systems are essential to

national development and community wellbeing.

“When we strengthen the tools and systems used by our social workers and welfare

officers, we strengthen our ability to reach families faster, respond more

efficiently, and provide care with greater dignity and effectiveness.”The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with development partners such as the World Food Programme to strengthen social protection systems and improve the quality of services delivered to the people of Dominica.