With the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season approaching, national planning and preparation are already well on the way. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is one of the agencies supporting government’s preparedness efforts, including through the repair and rehabilitation of seven emergency shelters on island. The repairs are taking place under a project worth over two million EC dollars, funded by the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to improve the preparedness of communities and strengthen their ability to recover after an emergency. The USAID-IOM project is being implemented in support of the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) and the Office of Disaster Management (ODM).
IOM is reporting that the rehabilitation works under the USAID-funded project are progressing steadily toward completion. Communications Assistant at IOM, Maxine Alleyne-Esprit explains: “IOM currently engaged in a project funded by USAID, which provides just over EC$2 million to improve the preparedness of communities and supports resilience in the event of emergency situations.
One of the major activities under the project is the retroffiting and rehabilitation of seven emergency shelters as recommended and requested by the Emergency Shelter subcommittee of the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO), which is chaired by Mr. Glenroy Toussaint. The seven shelters made available for these works are the Cochrane Old School, the Cottage Community Centre, Eggleston Pavillion, the Resource Centre at Lower Penville, the Pt Michel Community Centre and the Sineku Resource Centre.
Men preparing to lay blocks – Cochrane Old School
Holes in the wall being blocked – Laudat Old School
The works being undertaken include improvements to roof structures, changing of doors and windows, repair of toilet facilities, installation of water storage tanks, kitchenette repair and retrofitting, and other rehabilitative works as have been deemed necessary to ensure the safety of people who may be forced to leave their homes and take refuge at a public emergency shelter during a crisis, such as a hurricane or other natural disaster. IOM has engaged three local contractors to undertake the rehabilitation works, under the supervision of a project Engineer. Rehabilitation works are advanced and expected to be complete at three of the emergency shelters by the end of this month, February 2021. Works at the other four shelters should be completed during March and April, well in advance of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The project will also provide essential emergency shelter equipment including cots, wheelchairs, First Aid kits, kitchen equipment, water tanks, and generators where necessary.”
Chair of the NEPO Emergency Subcommittee Mr. Glenroy Toussaint notes that the repairs are timely in improving the readiness of communities for potential crisis situations.
“Several communities do not have the resource of a designated emergency shelter. This project aids in ensuring that these buildings are in good condition so that vulnerable people in these seven communities have a place of refuge in the event of a disaster.” He further explains how the locations were identified: “We had to prioritize the emergency shelters that we would ask IOM to help us rehabilitate, based on vulnerabilities of these communities, the number of people who would be required to use the facility during adverse weather events, and importantly the level of organization of community-based disaster management in the seven communities.”
In total, the IOM-USAID project will provide essential emergency shelter equipment to more than 55 emergency shelters across the island; at least 47 communities are expected to benefit. Community members are being urged to play their part by protecting these valuable resources and coming forward as volunteers to assist in community-level disaster management.
IOM is thankful to the donor for enabling this work “IOM is pleased to be able to provide this support to the Government of Dominica, which assists in ensuring that people on the move are safe. We are thankful to the donor, USAID which is a traditional partner of IOM globally, for providing the resources to be able to undertake this support.” Through this project, IOM hopes to contribute to strengthened national resilience and community preparedness for events such as floods, landslides, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic, and other natural hazards. The USAID-funded project runs until the end of June 2021.
IOM – UN Migration Agency
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a United Nations agency working on migration issues. IOM was established in 1951 and is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration, committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. The core function of IOM is “building migration management capacities” where it is most needed. In 2016 IOM became part of the UN as the first agency specialized in all areas of migration. Dominica became a member state of IOM in December 2017. www.iom.int
USAID – From the American People
The United States Agency for International Development USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance.
Our Mission: On behalf of the American people, we promote and demonstrate democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America’s foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance. https://www.usaid.gov/
Photo credit: IOM/Edward Charles
