US$630k for flood recovery

Bridgetown—During recent missions to St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) operations in the Caribbean formally signed livelihood rehabilitation and resilience building assistance totalling US$630,000. The assistance, given in response to requests from the governments of the two countries, will facilitate recovery efforts in the aftermath of severe weather brought on by a low-pressure trough which passed through the region in December.

St Vincent
St Vincent and the Grenadines was most severely hit by December’s weather. Widespread flooding and landslides led to the tragic loss of life and millions of dollars in damage to the island’s infrastructure. The country’s agriculture sector will receive US$320,000 to quickly rehabilitate the livelihoods of affected vulnerable farmers that would otherwise face food security and livelihood issues. This effort will complement and supplement on-going national efforts. 

St Lucia
In St Lucia, preliminary assessment of damages to the agricultural sector has shown a significant impact on bananas/plantains and vegetables, root and tree crops and livestock production. Drainage and irrigation systems were damaged as well as farm roads and riverbanks.

FAO’s US$310,000 in aid will be distributed in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Rural Development. It will allow both government-owned forest areas and farmers’ fields will be cleared and cleaned, and windbreak trees will be planted where necessary.

To read more, US$630k for flood recovery

Adapted from the Trinidad Guardian.