Announcement of World Bank Approves United States (U.S.) Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars for Disaster Management in St. Lucia on June 22, 2004

World Bank Approves US$7.5 Million For Disaster Management In St. Lucia Contact: Lee Morrison (202) 458-8741 Lmorrison1@worldbank.org Alejandra Viveros (202) 473-4306 Aviveros@worldbank.org Washington, June 22, 2004 – The World Bank approved today a total of US$7.5 million in financing for St. Lucia to reduce the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters by supporting disaster preparedness and mitigation planning. “This project will help communities in St. Lucia protect the most vulnerable households and the poor by enhancing the country’s preparedness and response to natural disasters like floods and hurricanes,” said Caroline Anstey, the World Bank's Director for the Caribbean. The Second St. Lucia Disaster Management Project will reduce Saint Lucia’s vulnerability to adverse natural events, such as hurricanes, flooding, etc., by strengthening the country’s infrastructure and improving emergency preparedness and response. The project aims to enhance the country’s capacity in the following areas: Physical infrastructure: to withstand the impact of natural disasters, the project will finance physical mitigation measures, including coastal protection for Dennery Village, rehabilitation and construction of bridges, and the retrofitting of schools and health centers which will serve local communities in emergencies. Emergency preparedness and response: through equipment purchase and investment in emergency infrastructure, such as the construction of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), and the establishment of satellite warehouses throughout the country to store emergency equipment supplies. In addition, this component will support technical assistance and training for the NEMO, such as producing emergency shelter manuals and video on preparing for natural disasters. Vulnerability assessments, territorial planning, and building code training: financing will support technical assistance in territorial planning and enforcement, commission vulnerability assessments and hazard mapping, as well as building code training and sensitization. The Second St. Lucia Disaster Management Project builds on the success of the first Adaptable Program Loan Project in St. Lucia, approved in 1998 through the Emergency Recovery and Disaster Management Program (EDRMP). The EDRMP program financed physical and institutional efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability and improve emergency preparedness and management in five member countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States: St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Financing for the Second St. Lucia Disaster Management Project consists of a $3.7 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and a $3.8 million, zero-interest credit from the International Development Association (IDA). The $3.7 million loan is repayable in 15 years, including five years of grace. The $3.8 million credit is repayable in 30 years, including ten years of grace. ### For additional details about the Second Disaster Management Project, click here. For more information on the World Bank’s work in St. Lucia, please visit: http://www.worldbank.org/oecs For more information about the Bank’s work on Natural Hazard and Risk Management in Latin America & the Caribbean, please visit: www.worldbank.org/lacdisasters