VI may have to 'borrow' if hit by another catastrophic event- Premier Fahie
The Premier also emphasised the urgent need for additional changes to the international rules on Official Development Assistance (ODA) to allow the VI and other vulnerable islands to readily receive aid from international agencies and donors, as well as access to concessional financing, in order to rebuild after a catastrophic event or crisis such as COVID-19.
According to a press release from Government today, August 13, 2020, the Premier’s call for international support to SIDS came at the 35th Session of the Whole Committee of the UN’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which took place on August 4, 2020, and was attended by 37 Foreign Ministers and Ambassadors from around the region.
Triple crisis
“Just last week we dodged Tropical Storm Isaias. More storm systems in the Atlantic are currently on course for the Caribbean. We are very concerned because of our vulnerability. Like many of our neighbours, we are simultaneously balancing COVID-19 response, economic pressures and hurricane preparedness. I pray none of us have to face a triple crisis with the passage of a hurricane during this very active season,” Hon Fahie said in his statement to the committee.
The Premier further emphasised the risk of another catastrophic event to the VI which is still recovering from hurricanes in 2017, and the urgent need for the VI and other vulnerable islands to be able to readily receive aid from international agencies and donors, as well as access to concessional financing, in order to rebuild after a catastrophic event or crisis such as COVID-19.
Honourable Fahie highlighted the risk to VI stating, “At the same time that we are concerned about Covid-19, we are also very concerned about the risk of another catastrophic event such as a Hurricane Irma. If we were so unfortunate to be hit again, we would most likely have to borrow, unless a permanent solution is found to the rigid ODA rules that would allow highly vulnerable SIDS graduated out of aid, to readily receive grant funds and concessional financing.”
VI hailed by UN for COVID-19 response
The Premier thanked ECLAC for its support to the VI and other Associate Members and reiterated his commitment to supporting the work of the UN regional commission in the VI’s roles as a Vice Chair of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Social Development and a Vice Chair of the Caribbean Development Cooperation Committee (CDCC), which are key bodies under ECLAC.
He also thanked Cuba for the deployment of a Medical Brigade to the VI to bolster its COVID-19 response.
The UN has highlighted and commended the VI for its health response to COVID-19 in which infections have been kept to a minimum.
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24 Responses to “VI may have to 'borrow' if hit by another catastrophic event- Premier Fahie”
Happy people are productive people.. . Not the division and unhappiness, its the complete opposite going on.
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Working together as a team the government, opposition and other appropriate community members to find and create ways to build the country's economy,
Not bullying and ignoring others thinking your way is the right way. The Bible says " Only a fool lean upon his own understanding"....Read Proverbs: 28 : 26. For more..
. This is not the way,. There is a better way, a wiser and more Godly way..........Thank you!
Why do we BVIslanders expect help from outsiders when we do not help outsiders. Life is a 2 way street.
Facts: show mercy and mercy will be shown. Acts 10: 2, 4. The Gentile Cornelius made many gifts of mercy and these were remembered before God.
Good point
But when you have to lined other pockets you can think up on all kind of stimulus strategy to get the money out.