POND ISLAND--Government has received some seven million euros via the European Union (EU) to construct two standalone “resilient emergency” shelters for use during the hurricane season and in other times of disaster. The funding is only for the building of the shelters, not for the purchase of land.
The possible locations being scouted for the shelters are Hope Estate, South Reward and Cay Bay. There is no timeframe yet for the start of construction.
Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, as Territorial Authorising Officer for the EU, recently signed the financing agreement for the shelters on behalf of the Council of Ministers. This agreement entails the construction of two shelter facilities with a multipurpose function, that are to be built applying the highest resilience standards.
Government will receive some technical assistance to determine the design and timeline for the construction of the shelters.
The prime minister said the community will be informed and trained in disaster preparedness response as part of the overall disaster response training. This will include the development and implementation of a large-scale communication and training plan aimed at sensitising the community about disaster response strategies and services offered in the shelters.
“It is the vision of this government to also provide shelter management training to targeted community members,” she said.
