WASHINGTON. – The World Bank approved a new loan of $200 million to the government of the Dominican Republic to continue supporting the emergency response and recovery needs following the effects of Hurricane Fiona.
The funding will provide further support to the communities that were affected and to strengthening the institutional capacity of the country to manage climate risk and chart a more resilient and inclusive recovery path.
“The World Bank promptly responded to the request of the Government of the Dominican Republic to continue supporting the necessary rehabilitation and reconstruction as a result of Hurricane Fiona.
This support will be key in addressing even more the affected areas, reducing the fiscal and economic impact of disasters, and improving the country’s response capacity to future adverse events of nature,” said José Manuel (Jochi) Vicente, Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic.
Fiona hit the Dominican Republic in September 2022 with winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour, causing heavy rains, severe flooding, and massive damage to livelihoods and services, affecting over 1.4 million people and having a greater impact on public infrastructure, agriculture, water, and housing.
The Hurricane Fiona Emergency Response Project will focus mainly on the most affected provinces: Hato Mayor, La Altagracia, La Romana, El Seibo, Monte Plata, Samaná, María Trinidad Sánchez, and Duarte.
“The impacts of disasters are greater for the poorest households and pose significant risks to economic stability, security, and population well-being,” said Alexandria Valerio, World Bank representative for the Dominican Republic.
She explained that “through this project, we will work closely with the DR to provide support to the families affected by Fiona, as well as to medium and long-term development goals that allow the country to be more resilient in a more inclusive and sustainable way”.
