Dominica receives grant aid from Japan for disaster response

The contract was signed between the two countries on Thursday morning

Dominica has received US$2-million of equipment from Japan for disaster response and reduction which will  aid in responding to climate change.

The grant was signed between the two countries on Thursday under Japan’s Social Development Programme.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Francine Baron said the grant adds an important dimension to the strong and fruitful relations between Dominica and Japan.

“This grant of 220-million yen or US$2-million worth of disaster reduction equipment goes beyond Japan’s initial provision of emergency support,” she said. “It will strengthen our capacity to pre-position vital pieces of equipment and thus enable us to respond quickly in the event of future disasters.”

She said immediately after Hurricane Maria, Japan was among the first to respond to Dominica’s appeal for emergency relief supplies with the country’s ambassador Mitsuhiko Okada, expressing concern.

“He mobilized support and personally flew into Dominica to hand over relief items,” she stated.

Meanwhile, Okada said his government is committed to supporting developing countries in enhancing their response to climate change.

“Japan, as a proactive contributor to world peace and stability and as a nation with many small islands, has been active in tackling climate change issues,” he stated. “Japan fully recognizes the vulnerability of small island nations in the Caribbean. For the Commonwealth of Dominica, in particular, the Government of Japan gave out emergency supplies twice in two years: first after Tropical Storm Erika and second after Hurricane Maria. In addition, Japan has just signed an exchange of notes with the UNDP for a project that aims to strengthen the disaster management capacity in the Commonwealth of Dominica.”

He said the signing of the grant was part of Japan’s global effort in responding to climate change.

“This grant will be used to purchase equipment such as generators, water pumps, sleeping cots, response vehicles and telecommunication equipment which will help the command and logistical capability of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s national disaster management system,” Okada remarked. “I also believe that the proper equipment will help the government and people of Dominica in recovering from the damages inflicted by Hurricane Maria and enhance their preparedness for future extreme weather events.”

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18 Comments

  1. John
    March 2, 2018

    Those monies 2 million should be under the control of a board of trustees selected by the people of Dominica to ensure that the money does not fall into the hands of crooked characters to be deposited into their personal overseas bank accounts, like in Switzerland or the Cayman Islands. Full accounting of these millions need to be under tight control by trusted persons and every penny spent needs to be accounted for with receipts shown to the residents of Dominica. Millions of dollars has been flowing into Dominica from other countries, who is watching the money?

  2. Rassheed
    March 2, 2018

    In such disasters, money shouldn’t be give to the the ruling or opposition parties; with the labor party being the most corrupt and dishonest of all. Rather, there should be a special committee formed within both parties with a small group of an outside independent observing body to make certain that the people of Dominica are treated fairly and not politically, nor way of favoritism. Without such is business as usual.

    • John
      March 2, 2018

      A board of Trustees selected by the people should be formed for full accounting with receipts.

  3. Roseau River
    March 2, 2018

    Thank you Japan!

  4. March 1, 2018

    Thanks Japan but I do hope there’s accountability and transparency with these monies. Bc in Dominica we’re hearing about all these monies but we don’t see or hear where it’s going. Guess everyone is busy full in there pockets and purses ? first. These countries that’s giving needs to ask for accountability of their money ?

  5. in these times
    March 1, 2018

    At some point i hope we start to use all this free money wisely. Giving hand outs with no follow up is like throwing money away. We need to begin producing and exporting here. We need more industrial space. we need to improve our infrastructure, not the same way but do it in a way that 10 years from now it still stands strong with enough room for even further expansion. We like to build ourselves into a lottle corner, then complain about no space in the end. We need to start developing the interior and developing all those little hamlets that living behind God back and crying for help when disaster hits. We need to start thinking for 20 years ahead not just for today. Thankful for the help, but only if it goes in the right places like creating a place for vagrants and homeless, for improving elderly living, for securing medical assistance and improving our ports of access and creating as well as up lifting tourism sites, for making industiral complexes and me, otherwise, keep your mone

    • The one and Only
      March 1, 2018

      Stop complaining…if you think we should do more, step up and do it. Keep in mind we could have gotten nothing!! Dominica needs money now more than ever

      • in these times
        March 2, 2018

        Typical response from a Dominican. As if things are perfect the way they are. Look around The one and Only, open your eyes! dont you think we should do more? Or are you one of those who gets their regular stipend for doing nothing and dont want to spoil that free food and juice and water you get? It is people like you that is wrong with Dominica. Obviously you maybe want me to list the things i am doing and have done as a show of proof that i am pull MY weight here in this country. But that is not the point. The point is WE as a country not just you or me need to do more in order to see real progress. The government needs to put these things i mentioned earlier in place. Stop playing soutiway for likes and encourage your government and influence your community to do good for others.

      • Bause
        March 3, 2018

        They’re giving us equipment not money. You people can’t read?

      • RandyX
        March 4, 2018

        Of course you need money now to put it in all your pockets…

  6. Sacregas
    March 1, 2018

    But they still gave!! Way papa all you good eh.If they did not give all ypu would have more to say.Haters.

  7. Hurting
    March 1, 2018

    With the Japanese grant, I hope there’s a little in there for the senior and shutins of Scotts Head, who needs the essential necessity of life Running Water. Thanks in advance.

    • dee
      March 2, 2018

      Oh I see
      Somebody else hurting .
      Never before have i seen Scott’s Head left without pipe borne water for so long ,
      and to believe ,in a phone call, I mentioned this to a senior citizen and she simple said ”well de prime minister hands full ein , he have so much to do , he only has two hands , our water can wait ”. De damn fing is, she and her husband now pees in the yard and the husband has to fill the toilet tanks by buckets every time they want to do something else . I asked her isn’t she worried that it was taking so long to reconnect the pipes , and she responded ”its not the PM fault ,its Maria.”
      I just left the lady alone .
      it is blatantly clear that he who is benefiting from the millions paid to the truck owner , for taking water up there will be allowed to continue doing so , by those ignorant villagers.

  8. marie-claire R Skerrit
    March 1, 2018

    look at those crocks faces.. smh evil beings

    • Love U more
      March 1, 2018

      Woman stop drinking hateraid YOU will choke on it.

    • NabesandI
      March 2, 2018

      The real crook is allu divisive leader. As him what did he bring back from the Polit Bureau for Dominica eh? Smh

    • Rassheed
      March 2, 2018

      I don’t know what the “Marie-Clair Skerrat” said and meant – All I do know is that, anything with the name skerrit scares the hell outta me.

  9. My bad
    March 1, 2018

    Japan no doubt would have given Dominica more than the two million they gave had they not seen our Dominica registered boat helping North Korea violate UN sanction. But it was Japan that saw them and Japan that reported them so they could not give much to Skerrit

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