DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP) NEWSLETTER

RESILIENCE January - March 2015

Volume 2, Issue 1

68 Million US Dollar Climate-Related Project

Described as the largest project ever negotiated by the Government of Saint Lucia with the World Bank, the
Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) was launched on Tuesday December 2, 2014, at Spinners,
Union, Castries, Saint Lucia.
The DVRP is expected to positively impact, to varying degrees, every resident of the country. Projects will
include land stabilization, enhancement of water storage facilities, coral reef and sea grass bed rehabilitation
fortification of bridges and construction of drains.
On the heels of Hurricane Tomas in
October 2010, and the unforeseen Christ-
mas Eve Trough of December 2013, the
Disaster Risk Reduction Project is
regarded as timely. World Bank repre-
sentative at the launch, Allesandro
Legrottaglie, said the significance of this
major investment is in keeping with the
World Bank’s initiatives to ensure that
Small Island Developing States do the
best that they can to safeguard liveli-
hoods by implementing practical projects
designed to withstand severe and unpre-
Government of Saint Lucia and World Bank officials dictable weather events.
“Climate related events” Legrottaglie remarked, “threaten the social and economic development of societies,
destroy infrastructure, and disrupt even the most basic services.” But that’s not all. Government finances are
negatively impacted, given that monies for advancing the country’s development, must, of necessity, be
pumped into rehabilitation and reconstruction of major infrastructure.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Noting the inextricable link between national planning and disaster risk man-
Public Education Is
agement, Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Kenny Anthony advocated the need to Important ...................... 2
mainstream climate change action and disaster risk into the planning process.
Watershed Management 3
“The analytical work associated with the national planning process,” the Prime Coral Reef & Seagrass Beds
Minister observed, “should integrate measures aimed at reducing vulnerability Enhancement .................. 3

across all spheres of the economy. Put simply, we need to treat risk as a natural Who Will Benefit from the
element of the development process.” DVRP .............................. 4

Waste Water Management

Government must also review the design of infrastructure to ensure greater Critical To National
resilience of such structures, given that the intensity of natural hazards seems Development ................... 4

to be increasing. The DVRP is part of a regional risk reduction initiative. We Can Adapt .................. 5

Students of Banse La Grace Infant School
As part of the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project
(DVRP), the Government of Saint Lucia, in conjunction
with the World Bank, assigned a local company to craft
a Climate Change Public Education & Awareness Strat-
egy. The Strategy was constructed, based on a
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey
conducted throughout the country in 2011.
The 2011 KAP survey revealed that since 2006 (when a
previous survey was carried out), many more Saint
Lucians were familiar with general issues pertaining to
climate change. However, the survey also disclosed that
Saint Lucians needed more sensitization on the subject.
As such, under the DVRP, a campaign to provide infor-
mation about climate change is being undertaken.
KEY MESSAGES TO BE IMPARTED
THROUGH-OUT THE CAMPAIGN
The Public Education and Awareness campaign is ex-
pected to reach as many Saint Lucians as possible
through face-to-face interventions and widespread use
of various media, including social media.
“One person, one household, one enterprise,
one community, one sector, at a time.”
2
The public education and awareness campaign
under the DVRP will highlight the foundational
knowledge that is required for target audiences to
understand the basis for action and to facilitate the
ownership of, and behavioural change regarding
the interventions being implemented under the
DVRP. Messages include:
Climate change is real and happening now:
Basic climate change science and facts will be
presented and explained using various media
tools:
 Climate change affects all of us: Target
audiences will be sensitized and educated on
how climate change will affect individuals,
households, communities, businesses, etc.
Addressing climate change is our responsibil-
ity: instilling a sense of responsibility at the
level of the individual, household, communi-
ty, business and sector in Saint Lucia.
 We can adapt to climate change: Adaptation
measures implemented under DVRP will be
highlighted as models.
 Change our actions to save our home: A call
for action in support of the DVRP social de-
velopment outcomes.
The campaign will inform on the opportunities
available for accessing funds for climate change
adaptation activities at the household and business
levels from the Climate Adaptation Financing
Facility (CAFF). As at March 31, 2015, 2436
individuals, representing (42) agencies/groups
have benefitted from face-to-face interactions and
discussions on climate change issues and the
Government’s efforts in the form of the DVRP. In
addition, many more persons have been reached
via discussions on various media.

Saint Lucia depends primarily on sur-
face water for its potable, agricultural,
commercial and industrial needs. With
increasing demands for water due to
increasing socio-economic development,
and competing uses among the various
sectors, this water supply is highly vul-
nerable. Added to these challenges are
the impacts of climate change, which are
expected to reduce water quantity and
quality within rivers.
The Disaster Vulnerability Project
(DVRP) intends to build on the outputs
from past watershed management pro-
jects and studies while addressing im-
portant aspects of climate change effects
and vulnerability to disasters, such as
flooding, landslides, and drought.
Under the DVRP, a team of consultants
is expected to develop guidelines for
the preparation of watershed manage-
John Compton Dam
ment plans within the context of Saint
Lucia. These guidelines will serve as a
step-by-step guide, addressing
relevant and pertinent issues such as
climate change and integrated water
resources management.
As an example for relevant agencies to
effectively develop and implement
watershed management plans, it is
anticipated that the consulting team will
also develop one watershed manage-
ment plan within a critical watershed in
Saint Lucia, based on the developed
guidelines. Importantly, the team is ex-
pected to conduct training exercises
throughout the development of the wa-
tershed management plan for the critical
watershed, in order to build capacity
within implementing departments and
agencies. This will provide a basis for
the continuation of collaborative water-
shed management planning for other
watersheds in Saint Lucia.
Coral Reefs & Seagrass Beds Enhancement
Coral reefs and seagrass
beds are important ma-
rine ecosystems that
provide valuable goods
and services. The ability
of these ecosystems to
sustain the generation of
goods and services is
being threatened by a
myriad of natural and
man-made disturbances
which result in the
degradation and altera-
tion of their ecological
complexity. Such dis-
turbances include storms
and hurricanes, increased sea surface temperature, ocean acidification, over-
exploitation and terrestrial pollutant runoff, among others.
Artificial reefs and seagrass bed and coral reef rehabilitation and transplant-
ing programmes are ways to alleviate the problem of coral and seagrass
decline, not only assisting in increasing complexity and subsquent vitality
of existing reefs and seagrass beds, but by allowing more areas of the ocean
to be colonised by these habitats and thereby assisting in restoring the eco-
systems. Although there has previously been establishment of artificial reefs
in Saint Lucia, it remains in its infancy and has not been monitored for con-
tribution to coral restoration and resistance. Additionally, the feasibility of
establishing ongoing coral and seagrass rehabilitation programmes has not
been explored.
To begin to address some of the stresses on marine systems in Saint Lucia,
the Department of Fisheries will be undertaking an initiative under the
Disaster Vulnerability Project (DVRP) to assess the status of coral reef and
sea grass beds and pilot restoration activities. Specifically, the initiative
will:
1. Review and assess current mitigation measures in place for the
enhancement of the coral and seagrass beds in the intervention areas.
2. Devise a framework to conduct a feasibility study for coral and seagrass
enhancement and re-growth, based on literature review and objectives
identified by stakeholders.
3. Conduct a feasibility study for coral and seagrass enhancement and
re-growth.
4. Identify locations for the establishment of artificial reefs within the
intervention area.
5. Provide recommendations for the construction of artificial reefs, inclu-
sive of construction materials, timing of construction and measures to
boost reef resilience.
6. Develop Policy and procedures for artificial reef establishment.
7. Undertake the establishment of pilot restoration activities,
including the construction of artificial reef.
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 WHO WILL BENEFIT WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
FROM THE DISASTER CRITICAL TO NATIONAL
VULNERABILITY REDUCTION DEVELOPMENT
PROJECT?
Climate change research indicates that in the future, extreme weather
As a Small Island Developing State, events will become more intense and possibly more frequent. Within
(SIDS), Saint Lucia is prone to natural the last 10 years, Saint Lucia has suffered at least four severe drought
disasters. When such disasters occur, they periods, in 2002, 2009—2010, 2014 and 2015, and on the backdrop of
usually impact the entire country. the 2009- 2010 drought, a 1 -in-100 year storm in Hurricane Tomas.
Importantly, due to lack of financial
resources, it typically takes the island a In most parts of the island, industrial wastewater is either partially
long time to recover. treated and discharged into a natural watercourse or untreated and
The Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Pro- discharged into open drains. This pollution ends up on the coast, of-
ject (DVRP) is a collaboration between the ten near villages and towns, weakening and stressing ecosystems and
Government of Saint Lucia and the World making them less resilient to the impact of climate change.
Bank. It aims primarily to build, and in
some instances, reconstruct, infrastruc-
ture island-wide to enable the country to
better withstand disasters—predicted to be
more extreme — in an era of climate
change.
Thus, the main aim of the DVRP is to re-
duce vulnerability to natural hazards and
climate change impacts in Saint Lucia,
with the emphasis on disaster risk reduc-
tion (DRR) and climate change adaptation
(CCA).
The entire population stands to benefit
from the DVRP through various projects.
Below is a list of some of the communities
where projects are identified to be under-
taken.
Dennery
The refurbished and retrofitted primary Beausejour waste water system
school will provide a safer environment
for both teachers and students. In The Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) aims to:
addition, the structural integrity of the
building will be enhanced and threats of  Utilise previous planning documents related to wastewater
deterioration reduced. management to provide a basis for reviewing the degree of success
of previous initiatives.
The Retrofitting of Community
Centers/Emergency Shelters  Review existing legislation regarding wastewater management in
order to fully comprehend the policy and institutional environ-
1. Retrofitting of Piaye Community
Centre-Laborie ment for wastewater management.
2. Retrofitting of La Fargue Community  Establish a policy framework and a strategic national wastewater
Centre-Choiseul management plan to guide Saint Lucia towards sustainable
3. Construction of Roblot Community wastewater management.
Centre-Choiseul
 Reduce the country’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change,
4. Soufriere Hospital Structural
through the development of a national wastewater policy.
Vulnerability Assessment Study.
 Institute a management strategic plan to guide the collection,
In subsequent newsletters, more infor-
mation will be provided on targeted treatment and disposal of wastewater island-wide. In preparing
projects and communities intended to the strategic plan, stakeholders at all levels will be effectively
benefit from the DVRP. engaged.
4
 Building a home is usually a lifetime invest-
ment. As the climate changes, the home
may not be able to meet this need. Indeed,
climatologists are telling us that tempera-
tures are increasing, sea levels are rising,
and that we can expect severe droughts,
floods and storms. It is therefore necessary
for us to consider climate change when
building or renovating homes or other
buildings, if we want to ensure that they are
resilient to the climate of today and in the
future.
In this era of climate change, a good design
needs to incorporate future climate consid-
erations. Strategies set in place early will
Typical household rainwater harvesting in the Caribbean
reduce future costs. In other words, taking
measures to adapt to climate change will
reduce predicted impacts of climate change and save you and me the cost of having to restore our homes or busi-
nesses after a climate-related disaster, such as a hurricane. Below are some tips to think about when building or
modifying homes or other buildings.
WATER EFFICIENCY
 Install water storage to ensure water availability in times of failure in the main water supply. Storage
capacity should consider the purpose of the building and capacity.
 Include (a) rainwater harvesting (RWH) system(s) in designs, including dual plumbing system. The
captured water can be used for domestic pur-
poses, including irrigation, toilet flushing and
cleaning. If sanitized adequately, rainwater can
be used for drinking. Rainwater harvesting is
beneficial for several reasons:
 Reduces water demand, easing pressure
on the main water supply
 Provides an alternative source of water
in times of failures in the main water
supply
 Contributes to financial savings
 Helps to reduce the risk of flooding
during storms by storing rainwater and
No matter the size of the residence, collecting
buffering run-off before it reaches the
rainwater is possible
drainage system.
 Install water efficient fixtures and fittings; these can significantly reduce water use. Low-flow
fixtures should include toilets, urinals, faucets and shower heads.
 Direct used water or ‘grey water’ from sinks, baths and showers to water the garden.

We need to build back better: More resilient to storms and hurricanes.

5
 John Compton Dam

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Phone: 758-451-8746
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E-mail: doxeriel@gmail.com
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susannascottpmp@gmail.com

Use charlesmarcia3@gmail.com