Dominica Gov calls on World Bank for Storm ERIKA assistance

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has declared nine special disaster areas in the wake of destruction and death caused by Topical Strom Erika. In an update to the nation last night, he said Bath Estate (specifically Paradise Valley), Dubique, Petite Savanne, Campbell, Coulibistrie, Pichelin, Petite Soufriere, Good Hope and San Sauveur were designated disaster areas after broad consultation, and on the advice of the coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management. He said the designation was necessary “in light of the relative severity in the loss of life and damage to property and the need for focused response, rehabilitation, and recovery. (...) The government, along with its regional and International partners, public and private sector, and civil society, is fully engaged in immediate response with a view to quick rehabilitation and recovery.” The prime minister added that the World Bank met yesterday to discuss Dominica’s plight. Government had written the Washington-based institution to trigger two financial facilities available in situations such as these, and to request that a team be sent to do a comprehensive assessment of the impact and indicate the cost of the damage and the likely impact on the economy and the country’s fiscal situation.

Read more: http://www.caribbean360.com/news/nine-communities-declared-special-disaster-areas-in-storm-ravaged-dominica-world-bank-to-assess-damage#ixzz3kZtLpiF9