Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 25, 2021 (SKNIS): The International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said that the ambulance and passenger bus, which was donated in partnership with St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will go a far way in helping not just the SKNRCS, but the local health authorities in continuing to fight against COVID-19 and reducing its impact.
These were the words of Ariel Kestens, Head of Delegation (Country Cluster Delegation for the Dutch and English Speaking Caribbean, Port of Spain), who spoke virtually at the handing over ceremony on February 24, 2021.
He noted that over the past year, the activities of the organization have been centered around the three priorities, which form part of the operational response framework for COVID-19 of the IFRC and the SKNRCS.
“These priorities include the sustaining of health and wealth, and the erasing of the social and economic impact on society…,” he said.
Mr. Kestens said that since the start of the pandemic, the SKNRCS has offered support through it all, and has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health and offered psychosocial support, care packages, and cash assistance to families in need, who have been impacted by the pandemic. He added that the staff continues to help sensitize the population about COVID-19 intervention measures.
“This latest initiative, with the support of the US Embassy and USAID, will assist in achieving the third priority area of strengthening St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society,” he said.
He applauded St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society and the Ministry of Health for their work in keeping the number of active COVID-19 cases in St. Kitts and Nevis at a minimum.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 25, 2021 (SKNIS): United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and OECS, Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, said that her government will continue to support St. Kitts and Nevis and the region in their fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus.
The latest support was the donation from USAID (United States Agency for International Development) of an ambulance to the Ministry of Health, and a passenger bus to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) that were handed over during a brief yet significant ceremony on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at the Joseph Nathaniel France (JNF) General Hospital.
“We are committed to helping those in the Eastern Caribbean. Throughout the pandemic, the United States has worked with organizations like IFRC [International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies] and UNICEF [United Nations International Children’s Fund]… to provide much-needed pandemic response assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis and the region,” said Ambassador Taglialatela during her virtual presentation to officially hand over an ambulance and a passenger bus to St. Kitts and Nevis. “In this fight, the United States remains your committed partner. I am proud that our partnership stands as strong as ever. Strengthening collaboration with one another, together we will continue to meet this moment of challenge to our healthcare systems.”
Ambassador Taglialatela noted that the donation will aid St. Kitts and Nevis in bolstering its health system.
“We know that this donation will help you to continue your model management of COVID-19 for the benefit of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. We are in this together and together we will rise to overcome the challenges presented by this pandemic,” she said. “The ambulance will be donated to JNF to support patient transport throughout St. Kitts and Nevis and the bus will be used by the National Red Cross Society to transport volunteers and staff to support raising community awareness about virus protection.”
Her Excellency Taglialatela commended the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for its continued success in ensuring that citizens and residents remain safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“I recognize the government’s substantial leadership in keeping the people of St. Kitts and Nevis safe during the pandemic,” said the ambassador. St. Kitts and Nevis continues to be one of the most successful countries in the Hemisphere in containing the spread of the disease. I know this has come at a great cost to the country’s economy and its people and we acknowledge the social and economic ramifications.”
She thanked healthcare professionals, civic leaders, manufacturing workers, civil servants, and all others in the Federation “who have worked tirelessly to respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): Kaye Bass, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, expressed thanks and appreciation to several international partners for their generous donation of an ambulance to the Ministry of Health, and a passenger bus to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) that were handed over during a brief yet significant ceremony on Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at the Joseph National France (JNF) General Hospital.
The vehicles, which were donated by the Government of the United States of America through its Agency for International Development (USAID) with assistance from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society (IFRC), will aid St. Kitts and Nevis in bolstering its health system
“The ministry joins with the Ministry of Health in expressing appreciation to the American Government for its usual response to humanitarian appeals and for specifically tailoring assistance based on our capacity, thus providing the exact items needed,” said Permanent Secretary Bass. “We thank the United States Government… for continuing to engage with bilateral and multilateral donor partners to coordinate response efforts, identify funding needs, address operational challenges, and to select the most appropriate mechanisms to fill identified response gaps. Indeed, the ambulance will fill a well-needed gap,” Ms. Bass added.
Ms. Bass noted that the donation is timely and significant.
“The ambulance, a single item, may be perceived small but it is indeed significant in light of the fact that it has been gifted and will more than likely free up funds perhaps originally allocated in the ministry’s budget to be channeled to bolster other aspects of the health system. It will undoubtedly enable the health teams to respond more quickly to medical emergencies and it will facilitate faster medical treatment, thereby enhancing service delivery,” she said.
Speaking briefly on the coronavirus pandemic, Ms. Bass said that one “truism highlighted is that in an increasingly interconnected world a health threat anywhere is a health threat everywhere” adding that countries were prompted to close their borders to protect lives and livelihoods.
She applauded the United States government for its continued support, especially during the pandemic.
“This pandemic is a stark reminder that many of the pressing health issues facing nations are now inherently transnational if not global. Locally, we have been calling for an all of society approach, and globally it requires no less. Indeed, it has been forged a responsibility of countries with the wherewithal to support countries with limited resources to tackle health problems within their own borders,” said the permanent secretary. “The ministry, and by the extension the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, commends the United States for not only recognizing its responsibility but also fulfilling it, be it through the donation of equipment, building capacity or provision of financial resources to assist countries to combat the spread of the virus,” she said.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS), has partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to present the Ministry of Health with a fully equipped ambulance on February 24, 2021, at the JNF General Hospital grounds.
Dr. Delores Stapleton Harris, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health stated that the donation is a critical addition to the fleer of ambulances and will aid in the country’s emergency services.
“This is indicative of a significant investment by the USAID as you may well be aware of the cost of a brand new ambulance as well as the cost of a brand new bus. However, the deeper meaning of this investment is the fact that our emergency response capabilities will be greatly enhanced and it must be accompanied by functional, fully loaded, and technologically advanced vehicles, ambulances, as part of our emergency medical systems fleet as we endeavour to meet the needs of those requiring emergency care,” said Dr. Stapleton Harris.
She expressed appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health to the SKNRCS, USAID, and IFRC in receiving “such a tangible and generous donation as we advance health care in St. Kitts and Nevis, specifically to our institution based healthcare system as we continue to build out the emergency medical response in the Federation.”
Dr. Stapleton Harris stated that the gesture demonstrates USAID’s continued commitment to countries such as St. Kitts and Nevis. She added that it allows the ministry to honour its commitment to provide an improved healthcare system in a holistic manner for the entire population.
She noted that ambulance services are critical to the urgent response to medical and trauma-related emergencies.
“In fact, it is a mandatory 24/7 service. Thus it is envisaged that such an expanded fleet would provide a more efficient emergency medical service, emergency intervention, and timely transport of patients in a variety of situations and environments,” she said. “Undoubtedly, such a system will increase the overall efficiency of our health care service and improve the health outcomes of our people. This is a very strong demonstration in a very tangible manner of strong partnership and genuine concern on the part of USAID and so we are very grateful.”
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, February 24, 2021 (SKNIS): Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett, expressed profound thanks to St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS), who has partnered with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for delivering a brand new ambulance to the Ministry of Health on February 24, 2021, at the JNF General Hospital grounds.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for this significant donation,” she said, speaking at the handing over ceremony on February 24, 2021. “I also wish at this juncture to convey our profound gratitude to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and to Mr. Hester Rawlins and his executive of St. Kitts and Nevis Red Cross Society (SKNRCS) for such humanitarian foresight.”
She added that their strong collaborative technical support and the overall vital role they played from the conceptualization of the gift, the engaged enthusiastic discussions, and the persevering actions and engagement with the key stakeholders brought the project to fruition. “We are so very grateful for your commitment,” she said.
Minister Byron-Nisbett noted that the receipt of the ambulance is timely and important to and for the Ministry of Health as it will help the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Such an addition to the existing fleet of ambulances ensures that there is an adequate first respondent mechanism to respond to medical emergencies nationwide,” she said. “In fact, having a large number of EMTs is simply not enough. There must also be the required vehicular capacity to respond in a timely manner.”
With the addition of the new ambulance, the health system will be better able to have an ambulance stationed at the two main satellite institutions, the Mary Charles Hospital and the Pogson Medical Centre, said the minister.
Minister Byron-Nisbett stated that these ambulances are well equipped and can safely and properly transport to and between hospitals.
She emphasized the importance of the buildout of ambulances to the rural areas as persons would no longer have to wait on an ambulance to be deployed from the Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre or the Pogson Medical Centre in Sandy Point.
“Hence, this is indeed exciting, and this gesture is such a very good way to commence the year, building our health capacity during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” she said.
According to Hester Rawlins, Director General of the SKNRCS, who also spoke at the handing over ceremony, the donation was made possible through the generous funding of the American people through USAID.
“This fully equipped ambulance was donated as a part of the COVID-19 response project, partially funded by the Government of the United States of America,” he said. “A similar donation of a passenger bus has been gifted to our National Society as we endeavour to assist the most vulnerable members of our communities while we strengthen our axillary role to government during these trying times.”
Also, at today’s ceremony, USAID gifted a brand new passenger bus to the SKNRCS.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 28, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Inter-American Foundation (IAF) will hold a Virtual Information Session to discuss the “Building Community Resilience in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean” Project.
This virtual information session will be held via Zoom on Thursday, 4th February 2021 at 11:00 a.m. (Barbados time.) This project is aimed at providing small grants to grassroots and community organizations in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean for community-led disaster mitigation and resilience.
Community groups interested in applying for one of these grants should visit the following website for more information iaf.gov/content/story/buildingcommunity-resilience-in-eastern-southern-caribbean/ and should attend the virtual information session by registering your group as soon as possible at docs.google.com/forms/d/1G1u7xXpL5JKffFUaotO20cjU_rbtEwCzfgQKPNl 8QR8/viewform?gxids=7628&edit_requested=true.
Att: Two-page brochure explaining the grant programme One-page Call for registration – Virtual Information Session
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 7, 2020 (SKNIS): Speaking during the radio and television show ‘Working for You’ on January 6, officials from the Counselling Unit within the Ministry of Social Development, said that despite the challenges posed by family counselling, the Counselling Unit has witnessed successes in how families have benefited from its Family Matters Programme.
The Counselling Unit is piloting the Families Matters Programme (FMP) which is an evidence-based, parent-focused intervention programme funded by the United States Agency for International Development USAID). This programme has been adapted and implemented in countries throughout the world and is designed to promote positive parenting and improve parent-child communication.
Member of the Counselling Unit and Family Counsellor, Alicia Collins, said “Our first year was the most challenging year because it was a new approach. No service provider (Counselling Unit staff) was entering into any home. She explained that this was because families were skeptical of their new methods and did not trust their motives.
The Director of the Counselling Unit, Michele de la Coudray-Blake, said that the training received from the USAID allowed staff members to change their perspectives on these challenges and take steps in the right direction towards achieving their overall goal of reducing risk factors within the family so as to better protect children.
As a result, families were more accepting of the message and welcomed counsellors into their space. The family counsellors interacted with the families, engaging in positive reinforcement of parenting skills.
“Children have seen parents who may not have spoken to each other for years, come together and work while developing a different relationship,” Mrs. Blake stated.
Another success highlighted was that of parents changing their strategy of discipline as “they moved it away from that punitive way to having more conversations that then yield results.”
“We’ve seen young children step up to the plate and be engaged in the household and what’s going on there as well,” she said.
She said that these successes were a direct result of engagement through the Families Matters Programme.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 06, 2021 (SKNIS): Social work is often a very sensitive matter particularly when it comes to interacting with individuals, especially at-risk persons or families in crisis.
An essential quality for successful interventions by social workers is confidentiality. It is key for all engagements undertaken by Family Counsellors attached to the Counselling Unit within the Ministry of Social Development.
The counsellors are piloting a United States Agency for International Development USAID)-funded programme called Family Matters. The programme aims to enable families to protect youth from various risk factors such as crime and violence in order to enhance their development into positive and productive citizens. Implementation began in 2017.
Family Counsellor Jeremy Thomas indicated that confidentiality is emphasized by Michele de la Coudray-Blake, Director of the Counselling Unit to all personnel.
“We are sticklers for confidentiality,” said Mr. Thomas, on the season debut of the radio and television programme Working for You on January 06, 2021.
To protect the identity of their subjects, the counsellors, who often work as a team on some of the more complicated matters, avoid using names in general staff discussions.
“When we go into the home as well, we make sure we stress confidentiality. We make sure we stress, listen, whatever is said here, stays here. … Their business is safe with us,” Counsellor Thomas added, noting that the Unit has never received a report regarding a breach of confidentiality by a staff member.
Family Counsellor Alicia Collins added that a survey of participants found that the counsellors received exceptional grades in being trustworthy. She said that this has made their work easier as they strive to make a positive impact on family caregivers and the youth.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 28, 2020) – The Department of Social Services, in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA), on October 27, 2020, officially commissioned the “Yes to Success” (YTS) skills training and diversion site at Pinney’s Estate.
The YTS programme is a collaboration between the Nevis government, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
At the grand opening, Director of the Department of Social Services Ms. Sandra Maynard credited Minister of Social Development Hon. Eric Evelyn and the NIA for making the YTS site a reality.
“How did we get here? Our Minister Evelyn’s commitment to youth development, he embraced this programme from the minute he stepped into office. He has been and continues to be a stalwart of youth and community work. As such, although the programme itself had already started, when we needed infrastructural setup, NIA funds were allocated for this construction.
“Permanent Secretary Keith Glasgow and Social Services Director’s membership on the National Advisory Board of the YES Project, which incorporated the [Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States] OECS Juvenile Justice Reform [Project], was instrumental in helping us to stay abreast of and make good use of a wealth of training for our staff and resources for this site, she said.
She explained that while the YTS building is a modest set up, the department has big plans for it.
The YTS programme offers youth counselling, skills training and job search assistance.
“The YTS programme itself is targeted to youth who have potential to be productive citizens, although they may not have completed school with the highest academic qualifications; young persons who are in need of a second chance because of serious incidents in school with past employers or who have had small scale offences in court; young persons who are finding it difficult to compete in the job market.
“At YTS, we focus on youth whose skills and talents should be developed and valued as much as or perhaps arguably more than their more academically-accomplished peers,” Maynard said.
The director explained that under the programme, youths who apply are subject to risk assessment, and once accepted, are engaged in personal development sessions. They then undergo weeks of skills training, and are placed in work internships for practical application of what they have learnt.
Hon. Eric Evelyn, Minister of Social Development, who declared the site open, said he believes with the launch of the project, better days are certainly coming for the young people of Nevis.
“I am very proud that this project, even though we are launching today, has already impacted so many young persons. You heard the statistics that were given by the Director Ms. Sandra Maynard. We have touched the lives of over 70 young people in a few short years and that shows that this programme is tailored to ensure that our young people are part of the thrust of the development of the island of Nevis,” he said.
Noting the significant investment it took to establish the site, Mr. Evelyn admonished the young people who would be attending training at the YTS site to take care of the building and equipment.
The YTS programme offers three- to four-month training periods in one of three training areas offered annually.
For the period October 2020 to January 2021, participants in the programme have the options of pottery-making, heavy equipment operation and a digital jobs training course.
]]>NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (October 20, 2020) — Onsite water storage tanks and delivery systems were commissioned at six educational institutions on Nevis on October 20, 2020, as part of a water security project funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), Global Environmental Fund, United Nations Environmental Program, Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, and the Nevis Island Administration (NIA).
The systems were installed as part of a federal project: “Ensuring Water Security in Vulnerable Schools in St. Kitts and Nevis through onsite Water Storage Capacity.”
Hon. Spencer Brand, Minister of Environment and Water Services in the NIA, officially commissioned the systems during a ceremony at the Charlestown Secondary School, where six 1000-gallon water storage tanks were installed.
He said the impact of this project is significant as it would ensure that students, faculty and staff have an uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water at their schools throughout the day, despite any emergency stoppage in the water system.
“On several occasions in the past for example, the normal operation of some schools would have been affected by a broken transmission line in their area, or due to unforeseen technical issues developed in the water system. Hence, this project is welcomed and very much appreciated.
“In addition, the storage capacity of 54,000 gallons of water installed and retrofitted at our schools would reduce the strain on our water system as it would promote rain water harvesting which is a water conservation and management approach that have proven to be effective throughout the world,” he said.
He said the project is a welcomed addition to the efforts of the NIA to enhance the water system and supply on Nevis.
“The project falls within our development plans for the water sector on Nevis. The NIA has established a Water Resource Management Unit that will work with various stakeholders including the Nevis Water Department and the schools to manage our water resources in an integrated way which involve activities such as promoting public awareness and information, encourage water conservation techniques, rain water harvesting and water storage, and assist in policy formulation emerging from data collection and analysis.”
Mr. Kevin Barrett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education on Nevis expressed gratitude for the timely project, on behalf of Hon. Troy Liburd, Junior Minister of Education in the NIA.
“I cannot emphasise enough how much a project such as this to the Ministry of Education, and more particularly our schools. It is not only a timely project, it is also a very necessary project…A big thank you has to be to be given to the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre…and also USAID, for not only providing the financing for such a needed project but also for seeing just how important water is to the proper and efficient functioning of our schools,” he said.
Ms. Cheryl Jeffers, Conservation Officer in the Department of Environment in St. Kitts, informed that 12 schools on St. Kitts were also outfitted with similar systems.
She said as the region is projected to get drier due to climate change. Building resilience is of utmost importance, therefore, the project catered for retrofitting systems and installing pumping systems where possible, and the installation of new storage tanks at some institutions.
The recipient schools on Nevis are the Charlestown Pre, Charlestown Primary, St. James’ Primary, Ivor Walters Primary, Cecele Browne Integrated, and Charlestown Secondary schools.
Mr. Denison Paul of WaterWorks Solutions
The overall budget for the project was approximately EC$490,566, of which $215,947 was allocated for Nevis. The project was a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Environment in St. Kitts and Nevis; as well as the Nevis Disaster Management Department, Public Works Department, and Ministry of Education in Nevis.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 31, 2020 (SKNIS): API Harowe Servo St. Kitts Limited, one of the oldest manufacturing operations in the Federation, has been lauded for its sterling contribution to the COVID-19 Pandemic response. The organization was responsible for producing a key component needed in the production of ventilators that are used globally.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is proud that the management and staff of API Harowe played a major role in the global fight against COVID-19 in providing critical components for ventilators for use worldwide,” said Premier of Nevis and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, the Honourable Mark Brantley, during the handing over ceremony of 10 ventilators by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on August 31. “I would want to commend the management and staff of API Harowe and all of their workers who came out in the middle of this crisis to ensure that these critical components for ventilators were produced and those ventilators we are now the beneficiaries of some of them.”
Minister Brantley noted that citizens and residents should be proud of API Harowe, as well as the workers who made this possible.
Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett shared similar sentiments.
“Allow me to thank Harowe Servo for the hard work that they continue to do in producing this equipment, as well as others and the name that they have been able to establish for themselves and St. Kitts and Nevis on a whole,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett.
United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, commended the employees of API Harowe Servo for an excellent job.
“The employees continue working throughout the State of an Emergency producing parts for thousands of United States Manufactured ventilators that are being distributed around the world as we speak, to help those impacted by COVID-19,” said the ambassador.
API Harowe Servo commenced its operations in 1974 and has continued to expand its operations as market demand required over the years. The company produces Precision Motors for the factory automation and aerospace markets and feedback devices for medical equipment. The motors are fractional horsepower AC, DC and DC brushless types. The feedback devices consist of tachometers, synchros and resolvers. More than 75% of the products manufactured at Harowe Servo are exported to the USA, China and the European markets, which allows the company to use the trading concessions offered under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (ACP) and the Caribbean Basin Initiative including the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA).
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, August 31, 2020 (SKNIS): At a brief but significantly ceremony on Monday, August 31, 2020, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated ten (10) ventilators to St. Kitts and Nevis in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation and Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley described the donation as generous, adding that St. Kitts and Nevis and the United States of America (USA) have enjoyed mutually beneficial relations since the Federation’s Independence in 1983.
“This handing over ceremony represents the fruits of diplomacy. Today’s proceedings are indicative that our mutual commitments to strengthen and broaden cooperation remain. We continue to collaborate in a number of integral developmental initiatives in disaster management, energy, youth development, and security and now in health,” said Minister Brantley. “This handing over ceremony is not simply emblematic of one friend assisting another due to the global pandemic. It is in fact, representative of an understanding between friends of longstanding.”
Minister Brantley, on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis, expressed gratitude to the Government of the USA for the contribution in the Federation’s “effort to safeguard and protect the health our most priceless asset – our people.”
United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela, who joined the ceremony virtually, used the occasion to personally express thanks and appreciation to front line workers.
“I want to thank the hundreds of health providers, civic leaders, manufacturing workers and all others in St. Kitts and Nevis who have worked tirelessly to manage the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Ambassador Taglialatela. “This is a challenging time for our country, and I am proud that our partnerships stand as strong as ever.”
Minister of Health, the Honourable Akilah Byron-Nisbett also expressed gratitude to the Government of the USA for the donation.
“We are truly grateful for the assistance that is being rendered by the United States of America. I am truly thankful as this would help our health services to continue to move forward as we fight COVID-19,” said the minister. “More ventilators mean that we have more beds in cases of an emergency but we are praying that we continue on our path where we are able to keep the curve flattened and that we don’t have too many persons who would have been hospitalized due to COVID-19.”
The health minister assured Ambassador Taglialatela that the ventilators would be put to great use.
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