DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP) NEWSLETTER
RESILIENCE
Climatic Event Disrupts World Bank Meeting On Safeguards
H igh level officials from the World Bank
and the Government of Saint Lucia met in
Saint Lucia on October 4, 5, & 6, 2015, for the
purpose of reviewing the Bank’s update on
social and environmental safeguards.
Some local representatives
Currently, the Government of Saint Lucia and the
World Bank are involved in the execution of the
Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP)
and the Pilot Programme for Climate Resilience
(PPCR). The US$68.0 million dollar initiative,
launched in December 2014, is geared towards
reducing the country’s risk to the impacts of
climate change.
Motorists braved the conditions on the Choc/Gros-Islet
Highway on November 6, 2015.
October - December, 2015
Volume 2, Issue 4
In recent times, civil society stakeholders globally,
have expressed a wide range of views on how the
World Bank should move forward in its safeguards
review.
Environmental and Social Safeguards Policy Advisor with the
World Bank, Glen Morgan leading the discussions
Glen Morgan, Environmental and Social Safe-
guards Policy Advisor with the World Bank,
explained that the purpose of the meeting was “to
expose participants to the scope of the reform the
Bank is proposing; to alert them to what is
proposed as new standards and new policies.”
The Advisor noted that it is the first time in 20
years that the Bank is reviewing its environmental
and social safeguards policies designed to
modernize and reflect the Bank’s priorities for
2015 and beyond.
Continues on page 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Business Demand Survey Underway………………2
National Wastewater Management
Inception Report…….………………………………..…3
Photo Focus: DVRP/PPCR ………………….…......4-5
S easoned enumerators gathered on the 5th
Floor of the Conway Car Park, on
November 17, 2015, in preparation for conduct-
ing a National Business Demand Survey.
This survey comes on the heels of two (2) previous
ones — the Household Survey and the Structural
Assessment Survey, which were conducted island-
wide. The Household Survey sought to determine
the financial and other needs of residents, whilst
the Structural Assessment Survey was undertaken
to determine the structural integrity of homes.
Enumerators prepare to undertake the Business Demand Survey
Information gathered from these two earlier
surveys, as well as the National Business Demand “Building Back Better” it is anticipated that the
Survey, are expected to inform the operations of Government of Saint Lucia will ensure that each
the Climate Adaptation Financing Facility (CAFF). project—from the construction of the Choc Bridge,
to the rehabilitation of the Marchand River wall—
The CAFF is an exciting initiative geared towards
assisting households and businesses with financing will be done in a manner that can withstand
at low interest rates to undertake projects that stronger storms and hurricanes.
reduce risks to climatic events. At the gathering, at the Conway Car Park, enumera-
The CAFF forms part of the US$68.0 million Disas- tors benefitted from an introduction to the survey
ter Vulnerability Reduction Project, DVRP which instrument—which had previously been
was launched in December, 2014. piloted—as they prepared to commence the
The DVRP, is a Government of Saint Lucia under- National Business Demand Survey. After the
taking, financed in large measure by a soft loan survey has been completed by some 500
businesses island-wide and the data assessed, the
from the World Bank. Residents throughout the
CAFF is expected to be rolled out by the Saint Lucia
country are expected to benefit from the initiative,
Development Bank (SLDB).
which focusses on building the country’s resilience
The Business Demand Survey is expected to run for
to climate change. Underpinned by the concept of
approximately 6 weeks.
The table below provides some examples of climate adaptation interventions that may be supported by the CAFF
SECTOR Agriculture Housing Manufacturing/
Tourism/Services
Loan  Drought and Disease Resistant  Guttering and Fittings  Renewable Energy Alternatives
Purpose -
Examples
Crops  Retaining Walls  Rain Water Harvesting
 Fertilizers  Drainage  Water Holding Facilities
 Water Holding Facilities  Rain Water Harvesting  Alternative Technologies
 Drainage  Water Holding Facilities  Plant Remodelling
 Soil Stabilization  Retrofitting of Roofs  Retrofitting
 Rain Water Harvesting  Renewable Energy Alternatives  Business Continuity Plans
 Irrigation Systems  Remodelling of Buildings  Consultancies and Feasibility
 Greenhouses  Land Conservation Studies
 Storage Facilities  Structural Re-enforcement  Energy Efficient Equipment
 Renewable Energy Alternatives

2
 obligated to establish a
mechanism that will com-
petently and efficiently
manage its wastewater.
“This is an important first
step for Saint Lucia” Marco
Foster of ECOPSIS noted.
“Wastewater, if not man-
aged properly, can have
extremely negative serious
impacts for the environ-
ment and human beings.”
“Today,” Foster observed,

A
“Saint Lucia is disposing
Stakeholders gather to discuss the Wastewater Management Inception Report
approximately 50% of its
n Inception meeting to establish the broad black and grey water safely. However, the level of
working framework, including the work plan for the pollution is becoming very high, similar to that of
National Wastewater Management Initiative, New York, Paris or Tokyo. Lots of substances com-
brought together representatives of the consortium prising hormones, antibiotics and other chemical
FDL Consult Inc. and ECOPSIS with personnel from substances that are dangerous find themselves in
the Government of Saint Lucia on November 5, 2015. the mainstream wastewater and the effect is cumu-
The National Wastewater Management Initiative is lative.”
one of several activities being undertaken under the “Essentially, the project involves review of data,
Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project, DVRP. review of existing practices, and importantly, con-
Wastewater is generally defined as any water that ducting surveys at the national level to inform the
has been adversely affected in quality by anthropo- strategic plan. A key aspect is consultation and
genic (man-made) practices and comprises liquid stakeholder involvement” says Gilbert Fontenard,
Managing Director of FDL Consult Inc.
waste discharged by domestic residences, commer-
cial properties, industry, and/or agriculture and can A key aspect of wastewater management is training
encompass a wide range of potential contaminants and advocacy. “People need to become aware of the
and concentrations. need to manage and discharge waste in an appropri-
ate way,” the consultants emphasized.
Currently, there are two (2) sewerage systems in
Saint Lucia. The first is a primary sewage collection Proper wastewater management practices will
and disposal system in the city of Castries, which result in improved sanitation conditions, enhanced
serves approximately 15% of the greater Castries public health, and a better environment.
population and covers the business area, and the The outcome of the project will provide the country
second is a sewerage system which includes collec- with a strategic
tion, treatment and disposal and is located in Rod- plan as it relates
ney Bay, to the north of the island and serves to wastewater
primarily residential areas and hotels. There is also management as
one (1) sludge and septage treatment plant at Union. well as a policy
The majority of residents and establishments in document gov-
Saint Lucia utilize individual on-site systems (pit erning the use
latrines, septic tanks and soakaways) for sewage and manage-
treatment and disposal. Consultants for the Project ment of waste-
note that as a party to the Cartagena Convention, water in Saint Wastewater, if not properly managed, can
have detrimental impacts on the environment
which is the most important regional framework for Lucia. The con- and human health
the protection and development of the marine sultancy spans
environment of the wider Caribbean, the country is nine (9) months, and is scheduled to conclude by
June 2016.
3
 PHOTO FOCUS: DVRP/PPCR
DVRP/PPCR
Stakeholders from various Associations including
the Gros-Islet Fire Service, the Gros-Islet Taxi and
Minibus Associations and the Saint Lucia Tourist
Board at the gathering to discuss the Choc Bridge
Reconstruction Project.
Technocrats from the Project Coordinating Unit
and the Ministry of Infrastructure meet with
personnel form the Lands and Surveys Unit to map
out the plan pertaining to land acquisition sur-
rounding the Marchand River Wall Stabilization
Project.
Officials from the Saint Lucia Development Bank
(SLDB), the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) the
Sustainable Development & Environment Division
(SDED), the Central Statistics Office (CSO) discuss
the Business Demand Survey with Kerri
Whittington of the World Bank.
4
Engineers from the Ministry of Infrastructure with
responsibility for overseeing the Choc Bridge
Re-construction Project providing information to and
fielding questions from stakeholders. At the micro-
phone: Planning Design & Supervising Engineer,
DVRP.
Technocrats engage Minibus drivers on discussions
pertaining to the Marchand River Wall Stabilization
Project.
World Bank official Kerri Whittington with SDED
and PCU representatives putting the final touches to
the marketing strategy public for the official launch
of the Climate Adaptation Financing Facility, CAFF.
 PHOTO FOCUS: DVRP/PPCR
DVRP/PPCR Continued
Staff and students of the Uptons Gardens Girls Centre
engage in a presentation on the Climate Change its
consequences, adaptation measures and the DVRP.
Presenting on Climate Change and the DVRP to Grades
5 & 6 students and teachers of the Odsan Primary
Combined School.
Continued from page 1
Climatic Event Disrupts World Bank Meeting On Safeguards
The Bank, which represents a community of 188
countries with vastly differing characteristics and
perspectives, considers its safeguard policies as the
cornerstone of its efforts to protect people and the
environment. It views these policies as a means of
achieving its goals to end extreme poverty and pro-
mote shared prosperity in a sustainable manner in
all partner countries.
“Most participants expressed positive views about
the expanded scope,” says Morgan. “They welcome
focus on key issues of today, for example, climate
change and greenhouse gas reduction. They favour
having a more systematic social agenda. However,
participants highlighted a corresponding need for
additional human and financial resources if Projects
are to be completed within a reasonable period.
Staff and students of the Uptons Gardens Girls Centre
say thank you in song.
Grade 6 students and teacher of the Carmen Renee
Primary school benefit from discussion on Climate
Change and the DVRP.
Input from stakeholders will be taken to the Bank’s
Board of Directors for review and consideration.
The proposed Framework aims to be the most ad-
vanced of its kind within the international financial
community.
Meantime, the workshop came to an abrupt end,
when a sudden downpour literally flooded the con-
ference area and the carpark at the venue. Several
participants were left scurrying, not only to get their
vehicles out of the parking lot, but also to get out of
the vicinity as quickly as possible.
The sudden Trough System claimed one life, left sev-
eral places including the City flooded and caused a
traffic nightmare for hundreds of commuters. At the
time of the major downpour, the country was still
officially under drought advisory.
5
C oral reefs are home to 25%
of all marine life, and form
the nurseries for about a quarter
of the ocean's fish, including com-
mercially important species that
could end up on your plate any
day of the week.
This biodiversity translates
directly into food security, in-
come, and several other benefits
to Saint Lucians.
For example, although scientists
haveJohn
onlyCompton
just begun
Dam to under-
stand how reefs can contribute to
medicine, already coral reef
organisms are being used in
treatments for diseases like
cancer and HIV. (http://
wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/
blue_planet/coasts/coral_reefs/).
Coral reefs are essential not only thousands of communities across (DVRP), US$500,000 has been
to ocean health, but also to the world. Under the Disaster allocated for the evaluation of the
human health and well-being for Vulnerability Reduction Project health of coral reef systems in the
country.

Did you know that about 25% of visitors come to Saint Lucia in part due to our coral reefs and
that coral reefs contribute approximately US$188.5 – US$244.8 million per annum to the
country’s economy (Tourism and Recreation: US$160 – 194 million; Fisheries: US$0.5 –0.8 million;
Shoreline Protection by Avoided Damages: US $28 – 50 million)?

For more information, please contact:

Sustainable Development and Environment

Division,
N PROJECT
MARCHAND RIVER WALL STABILIZATIO Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy,
Science and Technology
been
RP ini tia tiv e, 16 pa ckages of work have Choc, Castries
For this DV co ns is t of th e Saint Lucia
ifi ed . Th es e wo rk s
id en t ing of 2 rubble
bble walls, underpinn Phone: 758-451-8746
construction of 10 ru d the
rete retaining walls an
Fax: 758-450-1904
tru ction of 2 co nc
walls, cons
E-mail: doxeriel@gmail.com
box drain.
tru ction of 2 dr ain s— one cascade and one susannascottpmp@gmail.com
cons charlesmarcia3@gmail.com