Post-Hurricane Ivan Caribbean Reconstruction
Grenada Community Revitalization I was a task order financed under USAID's Sustainable Urban Management IQC. AECOM International Development (as PADCO) provided assistance to repair housing, clean and rehabilitate land and watersheds, and rebuild or repair schools and community health clinics. AECOM coordinated environmental cleanup and small infrastructure repairs in the Hurricane Ivan recovery efforts.
Housing repairs were achieved using a two-pronged approach: grants to local NGOs and CBOs and subcontracts to local builders. The overall program had a direct impact on almost 38,000 Grenadians, 37% of the country's population. The implementation of the program required mobilizing a rapid start-up team immediately, with the Chief of Party arriving in Grenada within two working days of initial USAID notification of award. Partnership with the U.S. Peace Corps allowed local NGOs/CBOs access to technical backstopping in a range of activities, including proposal and budget preparation, grants management, and project implementation.
Project results included:
- Repair of 38 houses, directly benefiting 173 residents; 11 medical clinics serving more than 28,000 Grenadians in 77 communities; and 4 schools (including a teachers' college) serving more than 2,700 students from 43 communities
- Provision of USAID/AECOM staffed "help desk" to guide sub-awardees in financial management, USAID procurement procedures, and bookkeeping
- Outfitting of workstations, freely available to grant applicants, to be used in the preparation and oversight of USAID recovery grants under the program
Grenada and Jamaica Community Revitalization II repaired homes damaged by Hurricane Ivan, managed community cleanup, and oversaw land rehabilitation efforts. AECOM implemented the reconstruction program using a combination of subcontracts and grants to NGOs and CBOs; worked with government officials to coordinate the repair of water and sanitation systems and community centers; and subcontracted building contractors as needed. In addition, the program provided NGOs, building contractors, municipal officials, and CBOs with overall program guidance, technical backstopping, and specialized training.
Program results included:
- In Grenada, AECOM subcontracted with 15 local construction and procurement companies for repairs to 913 houses, construction of 55 houses, and repairs to 3 schools, 8 community centers, 5 institutional buildings, 3 tourism sites, and a water treatment plant
- Awarded 29 grants to 28 CBOs to repair 242 houses and a tourism site
- In Jamaica, awarded 21 subcontracts to 13 local construction companies to repair or reconstruct 227 houses and awarded grants to 9 organizations to make minor repairs to 910 houses and build 205 sanitation solutions
- In Grenada, completed major repairs to 475 houses, minor repairs to 200 houses, construction of 55 new houses, and repair and rehabilitation of 8 institutional structures
- In Jamaica, oversaw major repairs to 232 houses, minor repairs to 700 houses, construction of 186 new houses, and installation and repair/replacement of 200 septic tanks
Grenada and Jamaica School Repair and Re-Supply. AECOM repaired or rebuilt schools in Grenada and Jamaica that were damaged as a result of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Many of these schools also served as temporary shelters for dislocated families during disasters, such as Hurricane Ivan. The storm and resultant looting and vandalism made it necessary to re-supply equipment and learning materials to the targeted schools as well.
In Grenada, AECOM worked with USAID and the Grenada Ministry of Education to select 17 schools for reconstruction. AECOM used local subcontractors to repair and rebuild the 17 schools (7 doubled as shelters), benefiting nearly 5,000 students. Equipment and educational materials, such as computers, printers, stoves, refrigerators, chalkboards, and globes, were supplied to 22 schools, including the 17 repaired.
In Jamaica, AECOM worked with USAID, the Jamaica Ministry of Education, and the Office of National Reconstruction to select 49 priority schools for reconstruction. AECOM used local subcontractors to repair and rebuild the 49 schools (which were all also shelters), serving more than 32,000 students. AECOM re-supply efforts reached 52 schools. AECOM worked with all of its subcontractors to ensure that they understood and followed hurricane-resistant building techniques.
Caribbean Regional Community Revitalization and Disaster Mitigation. AECOM reconstructed 19 houses in the low-income community of West End, Grand Bahamas. Through seminars and pamphlets, AECOM provided the beneficiaries and members of the West End community with education on the threats of natural disasters to their homes, how to prepare for natural disasters, and how to maintain the hurricane-resistant design features of their homes.
In Tobago, AECOM subcontracted the construction of three retaining walls to stabilize collapsed hillsides along the Windward Road, the island's main east-west road. These structures will help keep the road passable to emergency vehicles and other traffic following storms.
AECOM also supported the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) of Tobago in organizing, training, and equipping three Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs). The 38 people trained as a result will be stationed in three remote communities to help prepare the residences for future human and natural disasters and to act as first responders during such emergencies.
AECOM defined, promoted, and implemented a disaster mitigation "Action Agenda" that USAID supported and included in their 2005-2009 Caribbean Regional Strategy. The agenda focuses on working with host governments to reduce the risk of catastrophic loss from natural disasters, particularly among vulnerable populations. AECOM worked closely with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to develop and promote the agenda in the region. Part of this promotion included AECOM's implementation of three pilot projects in St. Lucia, Dominica, and Antigua. The pilot projects demonstrated disaster damage mitigation techniques and engaged the host countries in hands-on mitigation activities. At the conclusion of the pilot project and overall program, AECOM hosted a "lessons learned" conference in partnership with OECS to review the success of the program's activities, solicit further support of the disaster mitigation activities, and establish next steps for the region to move forward with the agenda.
