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GRENADA’S Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell, yesterday expressed satisfaction with the outcome of a donors’ conference at World Bank headquarters in Washington, to mobilise support to help the island recover and rebuild after last month’s devastating hurricane. Secretary General Miguel Angel Rodriguez of the Organization of American States (OAS) participated in the donors’ conference, where he outlined OAS efforts to boost assistance to Grenada. Prime Minister Mitchell told a press conference at the Grenadian Embassy that he considered yesterday morning’s meeting to be very successful, not just in terms of resources to be secured for his country, but also because it set the foundation for increased support. He said Grenada’s needs were articulated in a very vivid manner, showing the extent of the destruction. He lauded the way representatives of the Organization of American States (OAS), the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as other agencies and governments, "spoke passionately about the need to support Grenada - not tomorrow, but now." The OAS said Mitchell identified among the island’s most pressing needs the areas of shelter, electricity and communications, including telephones as well as school repairs, and outlined how the government and citizens were picking up the pieces. Expressing appreciation for the support received since the deadly hurricane in early September, the Grenadian Prime Minister - who is also Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) - said, "One of the most rewarding aspects of what has transpired in Grenada through Hurricane Ivan has been the absolute unity that of effort coming from the Caribbean countries and the people of the region." Meanwhile, among issues addressed by the OAS Secretary General were plans for a two-day technical meeting the OAS proposes to host with the English-speaking Caribbean countries, in the aftermath of the destruction recent hurricanes have cause in those countries. That meeting will bring together, among others, Caribbean experts responsible for disaster prevention and mitigation issues and reduction of vulnerability. Among other assistance outlined, the OAS’ Department of Integral Development will focus on Grenada’s immediate reconstruction needs. The Secretary General indicated the organisation stands ready to help the government of Grenada seek funding from the OAS voluntary grant fund (FEMCIDI), to help the island with priority-setting and rapid implementation of measures that will contribute to the reconstruction of damaged homes and infrastructure. Such measures include improving the building codes and standards for the formal sector; safer construction for self-built homes; safer schools and shelters; tourism infrastructure; planning for disaster mitigation; and more resilient coastal infrastructure. |
