Magdy Martinez Soliman, director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) of the Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) said he will mobilize international support for the recovery of Dominica. Soliman paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit where he presented his credentials in the company of Luis Francisco Thais, the new Head of UNDP’s Office in Dominica.
Soliman disclosed that over 20,000 resilient homes have been constructed since Hurricane Maria destroyed Dominica in 2017. He revealed that the island is not fully recovered from the damages of the hurricane, and so continuous appeal must be made to the international community for more support. Some of this work will be carried out at the Dominica State College where about $12 million is still needed to execute the second phase of projects there.
The UNDP director said some donors have already offered their assistance, but more will be called for to facilitate the next phase of the DSC. He added that the construction will be with better resources and technology for higher resilience.
“It’s about building back better, not building in the bad places where we have built in the pass just because that land was cheaper. Building with new techniques with higher pitches…with technology,” he said.
Dominica hosts the single-largest programme of UNDP in the Eastern Caribbean. The programme is supported by China, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, Denmark, Romania, New Zealand, and Japan.
During the meeting with the prime minister, Skerrit told Soliman that Dominica forged a mutual relationship with UNDP in 2002, and that the agency remains one of the first responders from the UN when Maria struck in 2017. Skerrit urged the UNDP official to help Dominica with housing, educational infrastructure, and review of public expenditure among others.
Soliman met with opposition leader Lennox Linton and key government officials before meeting with Skerrit. He also had audience with the ambassadors of Cuba and Venezuela and will visit the Kalinago Territory as well as meet with the Kalinago Council. He will also meet with the Civil Society Organisations, the Dominican Association for Persons with Disabilities, and the National Youth Council of Dominica among others before leaving Dominica back to his back.
This article is copyright © 2019 DOM767
