As part of the disaster response activities of the CARICOM Secretariat, the Energy Programme has provided four hundred Emergency LED Solar Lanterns to the Government of Dominica.
The lanterns are powered through a built‑in solar cell and are designed with back‑up battery and “hand cranking” charging options. They provide light through energy efficient LED bulbs and include a built‑in USB port, which makes them capable of charging mobile phones and other electronic devices. The lanterns are an appropriate fit to the post‑disaster activities and, upon exposure to six hours of sunlight, provides lighting and power for communication devices, which can simultaneously improve the situation of residents and assist emergency field workers in the discharge of their tasks.
Dominica was the most severely impacted among the CARICOM Member States on which Tropical Storm Erika unleashed torrential rains on Thursday 27 August, with continuous rainfall measuring 10 inches over a 6-hour period. This heavy, intense rainfall caused a cresting in of rivers and ravines, which caused extensive flooding and resulted in loss of life, significant damage to infrastructure and displacement of hundreds of residents. The power infrastructure was heavily affected and many areas remain without access to electricity even now.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), together with our international partners, stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Dominica during this period of difficulty.
The Energy Programme has pledged to continue supporting Dominica and will assist with the integration of sustainable energy designs into the post‑disaster rebuilding process. The contributions are being supported by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REETA) Project, which is being financed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and based in the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
