Dominica: The globe is affected by several natural forces which are beyond the control. This involves loss of lives along with livelihoods, causing disruption to in-service network as well as leaving millions homeless in dire circumstances.
As per the report shared by Reuters in 2017, around 14 million individuals are being left without shelter on an average basis every year. The reason behind it is because of several natural calamities, including floods as well as storms.
According to the study, the South and Southeast Asia nations have the highest displacement and loss.
Natural disasters are becoming a major reason for hunting vulnerable sections in the Caribbean as well as Latin American nations.
The island nation of Dominica is among one of the nations in the Caribbean which have witnessed many natural disasters. The country faced havoc following the destructive attack of Tropical Storm Erica as well as Hurricane Maria.
UNDP and OCHA Services have reported that Tropical Storm Erika has resulted in causing massive destruction and loss equivalent to about 90 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Dominica.
Along with this, the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment made a conclusive statement that Hurricane Maria has caused total damage of EC$2.51 billion (US$931 million) as well as a loss of EC$1.03 billion (US$382 million), which values around 226 percent of 2016’s GDP.
The residents of Dominica were left with few options for rebuilding and recovering. As a result, the government stepped in and developed a mechanism that was independent of international community help and might potentially put the country in serious debt.
The requirement for reconstruction and the goal of adapting the principle of climate change made the government consider developing new policies in urban planning and developing integrated housing communities all across the country, resulting in the Housing Revolution Programme (Integrated Housing Development) was introduced.
In addition, the following programme has been funded by the nation’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme and developed the way of Public-Private Partnership. The government-led initiative has the objective to provide new, modern, integrated housing to low- and middle-income families.
Meanwhile, it took not more than two years to achieve what was desired. In December 2018, the resettlement of displaced families was begun at the Bellevue Chopin Housing Development. Three hundred fifty (350) residential units, a 28-unit commercial complex, a community centre, a health centre, and a recreational field finished off the first integrated community in the nation.
In the previous three years, twelve other housing developments have been brought in over the East Coast, West Coast, as well as the capital city, Roseau. Till now, around 2,000 of the housing units have been completed successfully.
Meanwhile, the housing developments will also increase in Scotts Head, Eggleston, Canefield, Vieille Case, Pineville, Point Michel, Woodford Hill, Paix Bouche, and Roseau Valley this year.
At the same time, a master-planned community development awaits for the citizens of Grand Bay in 2023. On the other side of attractive homes, as well as the picturesque view of Grand Bay Ville, are services and amenities, including shops, a basketball court, a community centre, pocket parks, a gas station and recreational spaces which is safely protected 24/7, with the police station and fire station in the region.
The standard design for the development is a combination of two- and three-bedroom homes as well as apartments with a toilet along with bathrooms, a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. Additionally, as part of efforts to ensure resilience, the structure was built with reinforced concrete with stormproof windowpanes. It is also fortified with retaining walls, sewage and stormwater drainages, and all utility lines are underground.
The units are not sold, nor are they rented to the people. They are granted and awarded to the beneficiaries through a selection system based on dire and social requirements, particularly considering it for single mothers.
Apart from providing climate-resilient houses, the programme has also cleared the way to create and sustain livelihoods. The local contractors, as well as the other skilled workers, were employed for the various housing developments.
Furthermore, with the gradual change in the environment, disaster recovery is now connected to the concepts of resilience and community renewal. The Integrated Housing Development Programme (IHDP), which is adopted by nations like Dominica, has resulted in the integration of housing and recovery, proving that there is significant potential to enhance the quality of life and the socio-economic status of even the most vulnerable.
