World Bank to provide US$5.2 million to Dominica

The World Bank Monday said it will provide US$5.2 million to Dominica to help strengthen its response to the economic hardship caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) reports that the Washington-based financial institution said that the funds.

will be used to provide income support to people affected by the crisis who meet set criteria.

The World Bank said that the funds will be distributed under the government’s Livelihood Support and Social Protection Programme and that grants will be provided to over 7,000 Dominicans, targeting people who have lost income because of the pandemic as well as the poor and elderly.

“The programme will provide grants to affected self-employed business owners and other people who have lost jobs or have had their pay reduced. The funding will also support citizens over 70 years of age who do not already have a pension,” the financial institution said.

It said these funds were accessed under the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) of the Housing Recovery Project, which allows funds to be reallocated from existing projects to address emergency response needs.