|
DONORS PLEDGE IN EXCESS OF EC$405 MILLION TO GRENADA’S RECONSTRUCTION Grenada Trade Center, St. George’s Grenada, November 19, 2004 --- Representatives from more than 30 countries and international agencies gathered in St. George’s today. The purpose of their visit was to discuss the rebuilding of Grenada, after the island was decimated by the impact of Hurricane Ivan --- the sixth most severe hurricane in Caribbean history. The meeting was organized by the Ministry of Finance at the request of the Prime Minister. The Right Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Keith C. Mitchell, Prime Minister opened the meeting, explaining that "every Grenadian has been affected by the impact of Hurricane Ivan." With an impassioned plea to the international community for support, the Prime Minister emphatically stated that "many of our people have descended into poverty, literally overnight." Explaining the need for immediate reconstruction support, he went on to say that "our Government’s vision is not simply to rebuild Grenada, but rather to rebuild a better Grenada." Thanking international donors for their outpouring of support, the PM announced the creation of the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD), to be chaired by Sir Alister McIntyre, former Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. The Prime Minister explained that as the principal coordinating body for the reconstruction effort, "the Agency will work with and through various government ministries, providing professional and technical support wherever possible." Reporting on the relief effort, Senator Brenda Hood, Chairman of the National Emergency Advisory Council, explained that "eighteen countries have already contributed towards the relief program, with over 72 containers and 127 airport arrivals of food, water and clothing, and a quantity of building materials." While thanking donors for their contribution, the Senator explained that relief operations are not over and that 12,000 victims are still in urgent need of humanitarian relief assistance. Sir Alister McIntyre, describing the role of the new Agency for Reconstruction and Development emphasized the importance of involving civil society groups and informing the public at large of progress on the recovery program. He underlined that, "we want to be sure to have a process which facilitates an exchange of views, and encourage relationships with our civil society partners." Making a presentation on the macro-economic outlook, Ms. Ratna Sahay from the International Monetary Fund was pleased to note that "the budgetary gap for 2004 has now closed with support from donors." She went on to say, however that "financing gaps for 2006 and 2007 remain large, in excess of 6% of GDP, even after assuming strong policy efforts from the government." Financial pledges to the reconstruction effort from donors were reaffirmed in excess of $405 million Eastern Caribbean dollars. Donors responded to a call by the Prime Minister for a common reporting and monitoring template, agreeing that reconstruction programs should "be driven by national priorities to support coordinated, rapid and effective implementation." Donors committed to make funds available for reconstruction as fast as possible. Representatives also acknowledged the strong and positive role of Government and of the Grenadian society at large. In his closing remarks, The Right Honorable Prime Minister Keith C. Mitchell, Prime Minister insisted that "the task of rebuilding Grenada must start in our minds. Our people need reassurance and encouragement. We need them to understand that hope is certainly not lost, and this conference is clearly proof of that! I again call to everyone here today to rally around rebuilding Grenada Carriacou and Petit Martinique. With the unwavering commitment and hard work of all Grenadians, friends of Grenada, and support of international community, I am confident that Grenada will rise again, better than ever." |
