DOMINICA HURRICANE UPDATE – MORNE PROSPER (November 2018)
CURRENT ACTIVITIES (RECOVERY PHASE) ● Blockwork on both schools is reaching the sill beam and formwork for the roof has begun ● The retaining wall capping beam has been poured and volunteers have been busy backfilling ● Plumbing below the slab is complete and electricians have started on site
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Samaritan’s Purse completed blockwork walls for the new septic tank & are ready to pour the slab We now have 2 roofing teams up & running and have completed 11 residential roofs to date We have begun a trainee programme and are training 3 local young people in roofing skills
DISASTER PROFILE Regarded as the worst natural disaster on record in Dominica, Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on September 18, 2017 with winds over 160 mph. Hurricane Maria left Dominica completely devastated, damaging tens of thousands of buildings, all power, water and telecoms, and obliterating 100% of agriculture – a major source of income. Damages and losses are estimated at USD $1.3m, or 224% of Dominica’s GDP. OUR WORK All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response has been focusing its efforts in Dominica on rebuilding schools and repairing residential roofs. Having completed our first project - rebuilding Paix Bouche Primary and Pre School in St. Andrew Province - we are now focusing on rebuilding Morne Prosper Primary and Pre School in St. George Province. At the center of our work are Build Back Better techniques to make the schools and roofs resistant against future hurricanes and earthquakes. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, other NGOs, the schools and the local communities, this essential work will create much safer homes and more appropriate learning environments, which also serve as evacuation shelters for the surrounding communities.