World Bank approve emergency support of US$65-million for restoring agriculture livelihoods in Dominica

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors last Friday approvedtwo emergency support operations totaling US$65-million for restoring agriculture livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and rebuilding houses destroyed by Hurricane Maria in Dominica.
 
This 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*.This is the Bank’s highest ever financing for the island.
 
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said, “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.
 
The Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience project (US$25 million) will help farmers and fisherfolks restore their agriculture and fishing production and systems, and adopt climate smart practices. The Housing Recovery project (US$40 million) 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.
 
Tahseen Sayed, World Bank’s Country Director for the Caribbean said, “Last year was a stark reminder that the Caribbean is a region most exposed to natural disasters. 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.”
 
About 1,700 families will receive subsidies from the housing project and 4,900 farmers and fisherfolks will receive support from the agriculture project.