The Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States, through the Inter-American Emergency Aid Fund (FONDEM), yesterday made a contribution to Dominica and two other Caribbean islands to help in rehabilitation works following Christmas Eve’s inclement weather.
Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza presented the contributions to Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia at a press conference in Washington, D.C on Friday, January 18, 2014.
Although he did not disclose the amount of the contribution made towards the islands, Insulza expressed his hope that it “will help alleviate as much as possible the situation”.
He also encouraged others, including “our friends in the Inter-American system”, to provide economic support for the affected countries.
“We hope that our symbolic contribution can help promote those efforts,” Insulza, who made the symbolic contribution together with the OAS’ assistant secretary general, Albert Ramdin said.
Permanent Representative of Dominica to the OAS, Hubert Charles, expressed his gratitude for the contribution, and added that “we are not surprised that the OAS is among the first to step up and provide financial assistance”.
Charles added that the commitment of the international community to provide financial and material assistance to small and vulnerable states in times of need is an important feature of our hemispheric civilization and called on all concerned to hold on to this tradition even at this time of budgetary stringency.
He noted that the Christmas Eve weather event was an unusual one, not only in terms of the date on which it occurred, but also in terms of the volume of rain experienced over a very short period of time.
Weather authorities at the Melville Hall Airport reported 44 millimeters of rain in a twenty-four hour period, which is about normal, but the southern part of the island which was affected most significantly, experienced 101 millimeters of rain in that same period.
“The initial clean-up work has been completed however extra-budgetary contributions are required to fund the program for repairing and reconstruction of damaged civil infrastructures, shoring up embankments and providing support to the families and small businesses impacted by the storm,” Charles said.
The disaster, he added, provides an opportunity to highlight the importance of support for the medium and long term development plans of the Caribbean region.
“In fact, we are convinced that our capacity to respond appropriately to such events will be enhanced by the achievement of our regional development agenda. Focus though, must now be on rehabilitation after the storm”.
He expressed gratitude to the OAS for the assistance and expressed sorrow at the loss of life in St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia.
“We pray that comfort will be brought to the bereaved families,” Charles stated.
Ambassador from St Lucia, Sonia Johnny, thanked the OAS for its “generous support” while the Representative of St Vincent and the Grenadines, La Celia Prince, said “we have been very fortunate to have the support of the OAS on this journey.”
Source-Dominica Vibes News
