(BROOKLYN, New York): Trinidad & Tobago’s Minister of Planning and Development, Camille Robinson-Regis, has received financial support in the form of Grant Funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards emergency relief efforts for communities affected by the recent heavy flooding.
According to a statement sent by the Ministry, Robinson-Regis, who serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the CDB stated that the assistance through the utilization of the Emergency Response Grant under the CDB’s Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines amounts to US $200,000, and when converted is equivalent to approximately TT $1.3 million. The relief from this grant is to be executed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in collaboration with local authorities.
Dr. Warren Smith, President of the CDB in Barbados expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago in this difficult time. He went on to add that as Caribbean people there is a common understanding of what is happening because of our shared experiences with such weather conditions. Dr. Smith stated his gratitude for the conversation with Minister Robinson-Regis and echoed the Bank’s willingness to provide assistance to the nation via this grant.
Minister Robinson-Regis and Dr. Smith indicated that the Government and the CDB were making every effort to have the funds disbursed by October 24 to be available for ongoing emergency relief efforts. The Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the nation to Dr. Smith while also commending the Bank for its alacrity in providing the funding.
Minister Robinson-Regis, in the wake of this national disaster, commends the efforts of private citizens and corporations, as well as Government agencies who have come to the support of their fellow citizens, and reiterates the Government’s commitment to ensuring that all affected citizens continue to have access to relief and aid.
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