WASHINGTON – The World Bank has approved two emergency support operations totalling US$65 million for restoring agriculture livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and rebuilding houses destroyed by Hurricane Maria in Dominica.
The Washington-based financial institution said this represents its highest ever financing for Dominica and is part of a larger US$115 million package of support that includes financing of US$65 million in concessional terms and US$50 million in grant financing from the International Development Association’s (IDA) Crisis Response Window.
Hurricane Maria killed at least 30 people and caused damages and loses estimated at US$1.37 billion or 226 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) when it passed through the island on September 18.
The greatest damages were in housing and transport, with more than 4 500 houses destroyed and 20 000 partially damaged, and many roads and bridges affected and covered by trees and flooded debris. The agriculture sector had the largest losses, with 80 to 100 per cent of crops destroyed. Farmers lost half of their cattle and many fishermen lost their boats and fishing gear.
“This financing enables us to make two critical investments in our economic recovery following the devastation of hurricane Maria last year. These investments in agriculture and housing also represent vital components of our plan to make Dominica the first climate resilient nation in the world,” said Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
The World Bank said the US$25 million Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience project will help farmers and fisherfolks to restore their agriculture and fishing production and systems and adopt climate smart practices.
It said the US$40 million Housing Recovery project will focus on rebuilding houses and improving the application of resilient building practices. The total $65 million project financing for these two projects includes the US$50 million of grant financing.
“Last year was a stark reminder that the Caribbean is a region most exposed to natural disasters,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean.
“Through these projects we have an opportunity to contribute to Dominica’s efforts to build back better and smarter, with structures able to resist high winds, and help some of the most vulnerable including farmers and fisherfolks to cope with the shock and be better prepared for the next storm.
“We are committed to deepen our partnership with Dominica in support of its aspiration for becoming a climate resilient nation,” he added.
About 1 700 families will receive subsidies from the housing project and 4 900 farmers and fisherfolks will receive support from the agriculture project.
Currently, the World Bank Group is supporting Caribbean countries with almost one billion US dollars focused on strengthening resilience and financial protection against disasters – of which nearly half a billion dollars is focused on disaster risk management (US$430 million). In addition, the World Bank Group is engaged in Haiti with more than US$935 million. (CMC)
