The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved on October 1, 2018, a US$31 million additional financing to an ongoing project from the International Development Association for building resilient infrastructure and strengthening the government’s capacity to manage disaster risks in the Eastern Caribbean island of Dominica, which was hit by Hurricane Maria just over a year ago.
“This is an opportunity for Dominica to build back better in line with its priority for climate-smart investments. This will help reduce the island’s future vulnerabilities due to its location on the hurricane corridor,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean. “This additional financing will improve access to the eastern part of the country and contribute to the economic regeneration for the region.”
The Dominica Disaster Vulnerability Reduction project has started the rehabilitation of the East Coast road and construction of the West Coast Water Tanks. The road provides an alternative route to the main airport in Melville, which is critical to improve mobility on the island. Up to 3,000 families will benefit from improved access to water through the tanks. Additional hazard risk mapping and assessments will also be conducted and the building of a hydrometeorological network is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The devastating losses and damages in infrastructure following Tropical Storm Erika in 2015 and Hurricane Maria in 2017 highlighted the need to strengthen the climate resilience of the East Coast road, and enhance the water distribution system and access roads for the Western Coast tanks.
This project is part of a larger US$115 million package of support from the World Bank for hurricane response. The package includes financing in concessional terms and US$50 million in grant financing from the International Development Association’s (IDA) Crisis Response Window*.
So what does that mean? How much needs to be paid back?
$65 mil to be paid back at concessionary terms, $50 mill is grant, it’s in de lass paragraph. What are the concessionary terms, I will leave that to the parties to hammer out. Well needed funding to free up receipts from passport sales for other tings like intl airport, slashing customs duties by 70-80% I hope, other moves to grow the economy etc. but sad ting is they won’t ask me and you and we will be back to begging.
@ Me, It will be none of your dam business you are not the one paying it. In order words you and your stupid spineless so-called Linton supporters of this world aren’t worthy of qualities and imagination.