Tropical Storm Erika wiped out 90 per cent of Dominica’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This is according to the rapid damage and impact assessment conducted by the island’s government in collaboration with the World Bank, United Nations, and other development partners with funding support from the EU and the World Bank Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery.
The intense rainfall late in August arrived after an unusual dry season, and the combination of cracks in the soil and torrential rains triggered landslides and slope failures, causing major damage to roads, bridges, houses and agricultural land.
The total damage and loss was estimated at US$483 million.
Last week, the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica organized a pledging conference with donors to garner additional support to help shore up the island and preserve the hard-won socio economic gains achieved over the last decade.
