News

Residents of Castle Bruce can now enter the 2022 Hurricane Season with a little less worry as the Government of Dominica commissioned a regional emergency shelter on Wednesday, May 26 2022.

The shelter brings to fruition another of the milestones outlined in the National Resilience Development Strategy 2030 and the Climate Resilience and Recovery Plan of the Government.

The Castle Bruce Regional Emergency Shelter can comfortably house approximately three hundred people and will cater to the residents of Castle Bruce, San Sauveur, Good Hope and Petite Soufriere among others.

Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit stated the “the commissioning of these emergency shelters is yet another strong indication that this Government is committed to laying the foundation of sustainability and resilience to protect all Dominicans, especially the most vulnerable, from the effects of natural disasters.”

The Hon Prime Minister noted that this facility is timely as we head into the 2022 Hurricane season as citizens now have a modern and resilient structure to seek safety in the event of a disaster.

“As we enter the Atlantic hurricane season, it means that the people in these communities now have access to a modern, well equipped facility for themselves and their families if the need arises. We are providing you with a valuable resource of shelter to help you prepare, respond, and recover more quickly in the event of a disaster,” the Prime Minister added. 

Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Barbados, Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM CARIFORUM, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska stated that she is impressed with the building which will be a sign of safety for vulnerable citizens in the area.

“What I see now is an impressive building, solid and functional where a few years ago, there was only an empty plot of land. What I know is that the communities in the neighbourhood have a reliable shelter to use in case of needs; people will not need to fear for their lives, and schools will be able to keep their roles of educating children instead of protecting their lives,” Ambassador Wasilewska stated.

Member of Parliament for the Castle Bruce Constituency, Hon. Octavia Alfred detailed some of the amenities present at the emergency shelter.

“This 13.4 million, five story regional disaster resource centre has all the modern amenities. There are provisions for emergency power and water shortage. The shelter is a modern full functional facility. This facility will play a vital role as a disaster shelter but will also form an important part of our disaster response and recovery. Not only will this shelter serve to provide for victims of disaster but they will receive care and support while engaging in activities that will help them recover from the trauma of a disaster as well as provide a base to start the process of rehabilitation,” Hon. Alfred noted.

Minister for National Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore noted that these facilities are a continued demonstration of Government’s commitment to citizens.

“Our Prime Minister gave the commitment that facilities would be built in various localities around this beautiful country. Today we are seeing manifestation right in front of our very eyes. Just over 18 million dollars and 13.5 million dollars have been spent in Jimmit and Castle Bruce respectively, a total in trying times of thirty million dollars. Your Government, this Labour Party Administration, has once again demonstrated its commitment to the people of this country by providing safe spaces to secure themselves and loved during and after event of natural disasters,” Minister Blackmoore stated.