Water Management Plan for Drought Conditions.

Water Management Plan for Drought Conditions of Saint Lucia is a national Plan with a sectoral approach. The main objective of the Plan is to be prepared for and to respond to future droughts as well as minimizing conflicts and negative impacts on Saint Lucia’s natural resources and economy. Other specific objectives may be listed as (i) disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, and (ii) response, recovery and rehabilitation.
The Plan provides for increase the resilience of Saint Lucia to disasters especially related to drought. To this end the Pan sets out that there will be an annual training program consisting disaster management and Emergency Operations Centre management. There will also be trainings regarding incident command system, telecommunications, initial damage assessment, first aid and fire preparedness. Further the Plan sets forth that an effective mechanism and program for comprehensive disaster management will be developed and community resilience to mitigate and respond to the adverse effects of climate change and disasters will be enhanced. Disaster Risk Management will be mainstreamed at national level and incorporated into key sectors of national economy including tourism, health, agriculture and nutrition. A Drought Task Force will be established to provide coordination and communication between agencies and institutions affected by drought. Monitoring and assistance services will be intensified. Dissemination of information will be ensured and the extent and intensity of drought conditions will be shared with public. Mandatory restrictions will be implemented when needed. Emergency water management plans will be evaluated. Plans for conservation of agricultural water and domestic water use will be evaluated. A drought monitoring system and a drought warning system will be developed. Further the Plan provides for the responsibilities in case of disaster, of all the actors such as the Government, Water Suppliers, Industrial, agricultural and other private actors.
The Plan sets out that the Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) which is a government owned company designated by law to develop and manage the water supply and sewerage services in Saint Lucia and to implement this Management Plan. WASCO is also designated to act as the lead responder to drought situations and disasters together with NEMO. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) shall be responsible for disaster management and for responding to the needs of the nation after a disaster and coordinating the response at local, regional and international levels.