The U.S. Embassy and the Barbados Ministry of Environment and National Beautification celebrated the completion of the 7-year Water Resource Management and Flood Resilience Project. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contributed US$5.3 million to the project, while the Government of Barbados invested US$1.7 million to the initiative. The project is a part of the ongoing U.S. commitment to support a safer and more resilient Caribbean through the U.S.- Caribbean Resilience Partnership.
Addressing the Closing Ceremony, United States Ambassador to Barbados Linda Taglialatela said, “I am confident that efforts like these will result in less vulnerability in countries and communities across the region. Together, we can make a safer, more resilient Caribbean for the families of today and generations to come.”
“A lot of us feel safer now. I like sleeping not worrying about the foundation washing away and the house coming down on me. So, we are real thankful.” Kendrick Marshall, a 28 year resident of the Trents community, stated at the closing ceremony for a project to improve flood resilience and water resource management in Barbados. “Since the project finished, everything is perfect. The water comes down and runs through the channel that they made and it goes straight to the sea now.”
The project was executed in two phases. Phase I included the development of studies to include: updating the national Stormwater Management Plan; Flood Alleviation in Trents, Holetown and Speightstown; Storm and Groundwater Quality; and the Management of the Holetown Lagoon. Phase II focused on flood management and drainage control in the Holetown / Trents area and included the upgrade of culverts and erection of new drainage channels to manage storm water flows to reduce flooding of homes and businesses and address other drainage challenges during extreme rainfall weather events.
“This project has really redefined the lives of the people in Holetown. That is what government is here for, to make those changes that affect and better the lives of every single Barbadian. I am proud of the achievements and success of the project,” said Environment and National Beautification Minister Adrian Forde. “We will learn from this and improve as we continue projects across Barbados as related to flooding.” The Minister concluded, “I would like again to personally thank USAID for their commitment to the development of Barbados.”