The government is currently intensifying efforts to construct climate-resilient hurricane shelters across the country, and to stop using schools and churches for sheltering purposes. PM Roosevelt Skerrit revealed that using schools and churches for shelters delays the resumption of normal classes and limits the number of sheltered people.
He made this statement during the commissioning of a secure hurricane shelter in Castle Bruce, following the commissioning of one in Jimmit.
As of now, we use a number of schools as hurricane shelters and the intention here is to move away from using schools…and churches…as hurricane shelters, because after a disaster we would like students to get back to the classroom as soon as possible. There have been delays in seeing that happening because several schools have been used across Dominica for hurricane shelters.
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica
The government has also initiated the construction of the Capuchin Community Emergency Shelter which is funded by the European Union for $152,000. The flagoff ceremony for the project was done by the MP for the Cottage Constituency, Reginald Austrie, who said the government will be introducing the Emergency Management Plan to parliament for approval soon.
Austrie explained that the plan will determine how the country responds to hurricane threats before, during, and after chronic events. He added that a learning and resource centre was added to the hurricane shelter to facilitate education and learning purposes.
Meanwhile, PM Skerrit revealed that people resident in communities prone to landslides – such as Good Hope – would also require safe and well-equipped hurricane shelters during natural disasters. He said the government is committed to protect all Dominicans in the event of any natural event as the hurricane season is fast approaching, and that smart planning is being implemented to boost sustainable resilience and mitigate the impacts of seasonal disasters when they occur.
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