The Government of Saint Lucia and the World Food Programme (WFP) are working together to improve disaster preparedness through initiatives like prearranged funding, which provides immediate financial aid to vulnerable communities before a crisis occurs.
Representative and Country Director of the WFP Multi-Country Office in Barbados, Brian Bogart recently visited Saint Lucia to meet with Minister for Equity Joachim Henry to explore opportunities for deepening collaboration between the WFP and the government.
Their discussions focused on strengthening systems that protect the most vulnerable populations, with a particular emphasis on Disaster Risk Financing and Anticipatory Action – key strategies that help mitigate the impact of disasters before they happen.
“We continue to work with the Government of Saint Lucia in the areas of shock-responsive social protection, disaster management, and emergency preparedness and response. These are fundamental priorities. While progress has been made, there is always room for scaling up support, especially in addressing the growing risks posed by climate change to small island developing states,” noted Bogart.
A significant aspect of this collaboration is the implementation of prearranged financing mechanisms designed to activate resources in anticipation of disasters, ensuring swift and targeted assistance to at-risk communities.
“As part of the Anticipatory Action Project, we deposit funds with the Ministry of Finance or Treasury so that when an event occurs, based on clearly defined triggers, these funds can be released in advance,” Bogart explained. “This allows individuals to take proactive steps, such as reinforcing their homes with galvanized roofing or securing essential food supplies ahead of a disaster, reducing their vulnerability in the aftermath.”
This strengthened partnership between the ministry and the WFP is set to establish new benchmarks for resilience and inclusivity in Saint Lucia’s social protection framework, according to a statement from the ministry.
It said that by integrating forward-thinking financial solutions and disaster preparedness strategies, the initiative aims to safeguard communities and enhance national response capabilities in the face of increasing climate-related challenges.
