THE National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Micoud South Disaster Management Committee have undertaken a Rainwater Harvesting Project that will help the community deal with water shortages, especially in the event of a major disaster.
Paul Francis, Chairman of the Micoud Disaster Management Committee, said Desruisseaux has experienced an inconsistent supply of pipe-borne water over the past two decades, while the area from AnseGer to Dugard has been especially hard hit by drought conditions.
Last week, local stakeholders and funding agency representatives visited several locations in order to perform site assessments.
Previously, NEMO in collaboration with the Micoud South Disaster Management Committee installed more than 20 water tanks at public buildings, schools, and community centres, aided by a US$30,000 grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance.
In addition to the physical work, NEMO Director Velda Joseph said there are plans to educate residents
The goal, she said, is to build capacity among the people of Micoud South, and to encourage them to implement similar solutions at their homes and businesses. Follow-up activities will include training in system care and maintenance, teaching the rudiments of water purification, and installing water treatment facilities at some of the shelters.
NEMO hopes that the project will be expanded and replicated throughout Saint Lucia, to help protect the nation’s citizens against the adverse effects of climate change.(GIS)