Top Officials from Dominica, China and UNDP assess recovery efforts 6 months following hurricane Maria

High level representatives from the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), conducted site visits on Monday 5th March 2018 to the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Woodbridge Bay Port, the Dublanc Health Center and a home in Colihaut, to examine the progress of roofing repairs.
 
The visit takes place as Dominicans are starting to reap benefits in sturdier roofing from US $3million worth of roofing materials through the China-funded project, implemented by UNDP with national counterparts.
 
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 840 cubic meters of roofing material have arrived in Dominica. The roofing repairs are scheduled for completion by the end of June 2018. In the immediate hurricane aftermath, the Government of China also offered US$800,000 to support efforts to build back better.
 
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Planning, Economic Development & Investment Dr John Collin McIntyre, expressed the Government of Dominica’s gratitude for this generous donation, which represents the continuation of a strong friendship between the two countries.
 
Ambassador Lu Kun of China expressed that his Government attaches great importance to this project, and that they chose to collaborate with UNDP given its professionalism and experience in early recovery.
 
A countrywide Building Damage Assessment led by UNDP in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria has revealed that 19 percent of all residential buildings in Dominica were destroyed, 26 percent suffered major damage, 29 percent suffered minor damage and 27 percent minimal damage.