The Government of Saint Lucia has formalised two major agreements with the World Food Programme (WFP) aimed at improving disaster preparedness and strengthening the country’s social protection systems.
The signing ceremony for the Anticipatory Action Agreement and the Technical Assistance Agreement took place on Tuesday at the Financial Centre. The agreements are intended to provide early support to vulnerable households ahead of disasters and enhance the government’s ability to respond efficiently and equitably in times of crisis.
Imran Williams, Director of Finance in the Ministry of Finance, explained that the Anticipatory Action Agreement would allow for early emergency assistance to be distributed up to 72 hours before a hurricane strikes, based on verified forecasts.
He said that around 2,000 vulnerable households will receive either cash transfers of $300 or food vouchers. The households will be selected through existing social protection programmes such as the Public Assistance Programme and the Home Care Programme. A simulation exercise is also scheduled for this month to test the readiness of the system.
The Technical Assistance Agreement will strengthen Saint Lucia’s shock-responsive social protection system. It focuses on areas such as enhanced data systems, digital payment platforms and the ability to scale up services after a disaster.
“Remember, you have persons sometimes who are borderline, and the disaster can really change their socio- economic dynamics,” Williams said.
The agreement “will allow us to strengthen our digital payment platforms and the registration tools,” he said, making emergency assistance more efficient.
