Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite, Acting Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has expressed deep concern and distress over the damage wrought by flooding in Layou, Dominica last week following the overtopping of the Layou River and breach of the Matthieu Dam. The flooding occurred on Thursday July 28, 2011, and caused destruction and damage to crops, infrastructure, and homes to the tune of US$6.6M according to preliminary estimates.

In a message, the Acting Secretary-General said that the Community stood in solidarity with the Government and people of Dominica and was confident that the courage and resilience of the Dominican people would fortify them as the tasks of recovery and rebuilding began.
The full text of the message reads:

“The Caribbean Community has noted with deep concern, the damage wrought in the Community of Layou, Dominica, following the overtopping of the Layou River and subsequent breach of the Matthieu Dam on Thursday, 28 July 2011. The Community is distressed to learn that infrastructure, crops and homes have been destroyed, and a preliminary estimate of the damage is pegged at US$6.6M.

The Community acknowledges that the effects of the flooding will be long-term with serious implications, especially for the country’s agriculture and tourism sectors, as both are at the centre of the economic activities in the affected area.

The Caribbean Community stands in solidarity with the Government and People of Dominica during these trying times. Through its disaster management institutions, the Community stands ready to offer its assistance and help to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster.’