In August 2008, in accordance with the authority contained in the Natural Disaster Management Strategy and Operational Guidelines, the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved an Immediate Response Loan (IRL) in the amount of five hundred thousand United States dollars (USD500,000) to the Government of Belize (GOBZ) to assist in financing the clearing and cleaning of debris and restoration of essential services damaged by Tropical Storm Arthur. The use of an amount not exceeding the equivalent of twenty thousand United States dollars (USD20,000) was also approved to assist in financing consultancy services to provide independent inspection and certification of works in connection with the project.