Dominica is one step closer to implementing a national strategy to safeguard against food and nutrition insecurity with the completion of its Food Security Crisis Preparedness Plan (FSCPP). The plan is the result of a months-long collaboration between the Government of Dominica and the World Bank, aimed at preparing the country for future crises that could impact food supply and agricultural systems.
A dedicated team from the World Bank recently visited the island to help shape the final version of the FSCPP. During their mission, they worked closely with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, along with representatives from various government ministries, civil society, and development agencies. The process included a series of validation exercises and stakeholder workshops to ensure the plan reflected both national priorities and on-the-ground realities.
Facilitated by international food security consultant Dr. Almario Casimir, the FSCPP provides a detailed framework for identifying and addressing early warning signs of food system disruptions—whether caused by climate events, supply chain disruptions, or economic shocks. It outlines clear protocols for scaling up emergency actions and coordinating responses between government, humanitarian agencies, and development partners.
This plan supports timely decision-making at the national level. It’s not just about responding to crises but anticipating them through early indicators and scalable actions.
Dr. Almario Casimir
The World Bank has welcomed the final draft, noting that the FSCPP positions Dominica to access new funding under the Bank’s Crisis Response Window (CRW) Early Response Financing (ERF) mechanism, which was recently approved. This eligibility highlights Dominica’s forward-thinking commitment to strengthening food system resilience.
World Bank officials praised Dominica’s model as a potential template for other small island developing states, particularly those facing heightened climate and economic vulnerabilities.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Kyra Paul, described the plan as both timely and strategic. “It brings together all the relevant actors—government, NGOs, and technical partners—under a unified approach to food security. The next step is implementation and public education.”
Dominica has experienced supply shocks in recent years due to hurricanes, global trade disruptions, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The FSCPP is viewed as a crucial part of the country’s National Resilience Development Strategy (NRDS), complementing ongoing work in agriculture, disaster management, and economic recovery.
The plan will now be officially presented to the Ministry of Agriculture for submission to Cabinet. Once adopted, it will serve as a national guide for resource allocation, emergency preparedness, and targeted support to vulnerable communities in times of crisis.
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