Canada, CDB support Dominica in rebuilding resilient schools

Just over a year after Hurricane Maria, Dominica is set to enhance post-disaster response, build more climate-resilient schools and empower communities across the country, with the help of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Canada.

On Thursday, CDB’s Board of Directors approved grant funding to help the country recover from the impact of Hurricane Maria. This will include the rebuilding or rehabilitation of five primary schools in some of the hardest-hit areas of the island. The funding will also cover the Government’s premiums for parametric risk insurance for 2018 and 2019 under CCRIF SPC.

The Government of Canada will provide CAD$8.77 million from the Dominica Climate Resilience and Restoration Fund, which is being administered by CDB.

The Bank and Government of Dominica will also provide the equivalent of CAD$396,000 and CAD$694,000 to the project respectively.

More than 1,300 students are expected to benefit from the project which will see the schools rebuilt to the highest Model Safe School Programme standards, in keeping with the Government of Dominica’s goal to “build back better.” The construction will also be subject to rigorous Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessments.

The physical upgrade of the schools will be complemented by skills training for up to 150 contractors, suppliers and school maintenance staff in climate-resilient construction best practices and school maintenance planning.

Eighty teachers and principals will also learn how to incorporate technology and lessons on climate resilience into their teaching.

Director of Projects at CDB, Daniel Best said the project had a dual importance as many schools are not just places of learning but also places of shelter during natural disasters.

“The school system is key to creating climate-resilient infrastructure since educational institutions provide shelter for persons affected by the disaster. We know how important it is for schools to be able to continue the education programme for children, young adults and persons with disabilities in the aftermath of a disaster. CDB is pleased to be able to partner with the Government of Canada to support Dominica in rebuilding its schools so that they are climate-resilient and can, among other things, function optimally as community shelters,” said Best.

The project is aligned with the CDB’s strategic objective to support inclusive and sustainable growth and development through promoting environmental sustainability, inclusive of climate change resilience, environmental management and disaster risk management.
It is also consistent with the Bank’s corporate priority of improving the quality of and access to education and training and citizen security.

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6 Comments

  1. Don gomes
    October 28, 2018

    Thank you canada.God bless you.The goodwill of the people of Dominica will be with you always.Thank you from the people of Dominica.

  2. UREADY
    October 27, 2018

    This an excellent initiative on the part of the government and the Canada. Securing Educational facilities and ensuring education is ongoing in light of the changing is proactive and forward thinking, not to sound redundant.
    It definitely isn’t easy, it’s beneficial to the country and students and does it require the approval of naysayers and do nothings.

  3. Badbaje
    October 27, 2018

    Thanks and good luck to all involved in the project. I also was not clear on the use of the word “Resilience” in this respect but I did some research and I am much clearer now.
    We do need to put more thought of resilience in our plans for future. but the word itself is being thrown around too loosely by many.
    Again, thanks and good look.

  4. jeff
    October 27, 2018

    What is this “climate resilience” slogan i keep hearing. Know one is doing anything to stop it today not in 10, 20 or 30 years time.Who wants to give up their cars today or cut down on fossil fuels etc. Its all about making money form the planet. In years to come Islands like Dominica around the world will be under water and the inhabitants will be living on the mainland or on the continents. Its already to late.

  5. viewsexpressed
    October 26, 2018

    Can the CDB define clearly to us what is Resilience and how does it work? How do we achieve, what is to achieve? “Dominica is set to enhance post-disaster response, build more climate-resilient schools and empower communities across the country…” Says the CDB. But what exactly is this, how to be achieve, who is to implement it, with what, how, what resources do we use? How does a fail government under this theme manage resilience programme like this? What is the partnership with the people and the states current institutions at Central an local government. CDB, you see, our institutions are 95% non-functional. they do not have the resources, that is the know how, the capacity, a plan, to move from plan A to plan B; or C?. All this sounds nice on paper and to talk about. To date nothing of resilience is seen or shown in reality what really is to be done. Is it a safety net to protect we the people, or just a nice saying until the next election and the next hurricane. We are in…

    • Curious
      October 28, 2018

      Aren’t you the same person we see in the park crying wolf while all around you falling over each other running as fast as they can just so you can be on the swing all by yourself? Just asking :lol:

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