Regional Cooperation in Global Health Crises: The Role CARICOM and SADC in Managing the COVID-19 Outbreak

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 1167 - 1185, 30.09.2023

Samet Yılmaz , Ferit Belder

https://doi.org/10.35341/afet.1284421

Abstract

This study comparatively analyzes the activities of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the fight against the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic and crisis management processes. Crisis management processes regarding the COVID-19 outbreak have been implemented with actions taken at various levels. The regional level is among the levels where the struggle against the pandemic has been handled. In this regard, regional organizations have carried out activities to strengthen the resistance of their regions against the virus and reduce the negative effects of the epidemic on societies. In this context, during the pandemic period, CARICOM and SADC, the members of which are mostly developing states, have attempted to establish common policies at the regional level and promote the resistance of societies against the virus, despite the constraints of their regions in dealing with disasters and crises in economic and geographical terms. In this sense, the questions of ‘what kind of actions have CARICOM and SADC engaged in during the COVID-19 pandemic’ and ‘what are the variables that determine the actions of CARICOM and SADC in the governance of the COVID-19 health crisis at the regional level’ become meaningful to comprehend the role of these organizations in the regional governance related the health-related crises. The study seeks answers to the above-mentioned questions in the context of the relationship between health and regionalism.

Keywords

Caribbean Community, COVID-19, Regionalism, Southern African Development Community

Küresel Sağlık Krizlerinde Bölgesel İş Birliği: COVID-19 Salgınının Yönetiminde CARICOM ve SADC’nin Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışma Karayipler Topluluğu (CARICOM) ve Güney Afrika Kalkınma Topluluğu (SADC) örgütlerinin, COVID-19 (koronavirüs hastalığı) salgınıyla mücadele ve kriz yönetimi süreçlerinde gerçekleştirdikleri faaliyetleri ortaya koymakta ve karşılaştırmalı şekilde analiz etmektedir. COVID-19 salgınına ilişkin kriz yönetim süreçleri, çeşitli düzeyde gerçekleştirilen eylemlerle sürdürülmüştür. Bölgesel düzey, salgınla mücadelenin ele alındığı düzeylerden biridir. Bu hususta bölgesel örgütler, salgına karşı kendi bölgelerinin direncini güçlendirmeye ve salgının toplumlar üzerindeki olumsuz etkilerini azaltmaya ilişkin faaliyetlerde bulunmuştur. Bu kapsamda salgın döneminde, üyelik kompozisyonu açısından büyük ölçüde gelişmekte olan devletlerin üye olduğu CARICOM ve SADC, bulundukları bölgelerin ekonomik ve coğrafi açıdan afet ve krizlerle mücadele konusundaki kısıtlarına rağmen, bölgesel düzeyde ortak politikaların belirlenmesi ve toplumların virüse karşı dayanımının artırılmasına ilişkin girişimler gerçekleştirmiştir. Bu bağlamda ‘CARICOM ve SADC, COVID-19 salgını döneminde ne tür faaliyetlerde bulunmuştur’ ve ‘CARICOM ve SADC’nin COVID-19 sağlık krizinin bölgesel düzeyde yönetişimine ilişkin faaliyetlerini belirleyen değişkenler nelerdir’ soruları, sağlıkla ilgili kriz dönemlerinde iki örgütün bölgesel yönetişim bakımından rolünü anlayabilmek açısından anlamlı hâle gelmektedir. Çalışma yukarıda belirtilen sorulara, sağlık ile bölgeselcilik arasındaki ilişki bağlamında yanıt aramaktadır.

Keywords

Bölgeselcilik, COVID-19, Güney Afrika Kalkınma Topluluğu, Karayipler Topluluğu

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