Dominica’s First Community Shelter in Layou Built to Withstand Hurricanes
Dominica’s first community shelter in Layou has been built to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. Named the Layou Emergency Resource Centre, the facility is an 8,000 square foot structure with 115 beds and constructed to shelter people during natural disasters. It has an industrial kitchen, a laundry mart, storage facilities, a medical unit, and an administrative office.
Costing $2.34 million to build, the Layou community shelter will be equipped with a standby electricity generator as well as a solar power PV, a water harvesting roof and a water storage tank in the event of water cuttoff.
The opening ceremony for the community shelter was done by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit who handed the keys to the facility to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore. Skerrit said the resilient hurricane shelter will not only ensure the safety of Layou residents during natural disasters but the grandeur of the facility will also add to the aesthetics of the town.
The prime minister stated that the choice of Layou for the siting of the hurricane shelter was because of the vulnerability of the people, and largely because the facility would be an opportunity for economic trainings for the residents. It will also serve people in Mero village.
We have great confidence in the resilience and the industry of the Layou people and I have absolutely no doubt they will take the fullest advantage of this facility.
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit: Prime Minister of Dominica
Parliamentary representative for St. Joseph constituency, Dr. Adis King, who was also present at the occasion congratulated Layou residents for the shelter and noted that it is suitable for both hurricane shelter and as a facility for vocational skill trainings. She tasked community youths to take advantage of economic training opportunities at the venue and lauded the construction of the facility as a resource centre.
To my constituents, you have been chosen to be the beneficiaries of this important structure, please show your appreciation and gratitude by taking care of it,” Dr. King said. “Your future depends on your desire to achieve positive things in life.”
Also present at the event was the Minister for Public Works, Cassanni Laville, who stated that the idea for the Layou emergency shelter had been in place before Hurricane Maria, but structural modifications were added since then. He said that lives will be saved during natural disasters when people shelter at the facility, and that the centre will be used for vocational skill acquisition during periods of peace.
People will now have an option, a safe place to go if they ever feel at risk or unsafe and this is a very substantial commitment to the people of this area, a fulfilment of that human right to safety and security.
Cassanni Laville: Minister for Public Works
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