The 2017 Tropical Atlantic Hurricane season was one of the most active seasons on record.  It has been one of only six seasons to feature at least two Category 5 hurricanes (Hurricanes Irma and Maria); and it featured a Category 4 hurricane (Harvey) that set the record for the most rainfall ever in the United States (64.8 inches).  Hurricane Maria the thirteenth named storm of the 2017 Tropical Atlantic Hurricane season, was formed in the central Atlantic Ocean.  It began as a tropical depression on Saturday, September 16, 2017 midway between the Cape Verde Islands and the Leeward Islands.  The depression intensified to become a tropical storm, Tropical Storm Maria on the afternoon of September 16, 2017. Tropical Storm Maria intensified to a Category 1 Hurricane on Sunday, September 17.  Maria rapidly intensified to a Category 5 on September 18.  Hurricane Maria impacted the Commonwealth of Dominica at approximately 9:35 p.m. on September 18 with wind speeds of 155 miles per hour.  The centre of Hurricane Maria passed directly over Dominica producing intense wind and rainfall across the island.   

Initial damage assessments indicated that the entire country and population was affected. There was widespread damage to the housing stock with the majority left without roofs. Several remote communities remained inaccessible after the event due to blocked roads, landslides and destroyed bridges. Limited power supply, lack of fuel and road access constraints especially in the south of the island hampered emergency relief efforts.  Sections of the main coastal roads were damaged or blocked by landslides and other debris.    The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (GOCD) confirmed 15 fatalities and 20 persons missing.  The Roseau hospital suffered extensive damage but was able to provide limited service. The Canefield airport runway was flooded and experienced damage to the air terminal building and air control tower.  One hundred percent of the agriculture sector was destroyed. There was severe damage to farm housing, irrigation infrastructure, feeder roads, as well as crop and livestock production in addition to forests reserves and coastal fisheries. Many feeder and farm roads were damaged. This resulted in the reduced availability of produce for sale in the markets.  Based on the extent of the impact, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica declared a national state of emergency on September 20, 2017.  

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), by letter of September 25, 2017 to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), requested support on behalf of GOCD under IDB’s Special Programme/NonReimbursable Technical Cooperation for Emergency Assistance for countries affected by natural disasters.   

IDB responded to the request, and, on January 17, 2018, the General Manager of the Caribbean Countries authorised two hundred thousand United States dollars (USD200,000) under the NonReimbursable Technical Cooperation Emergency Assistance to GOCD, in accordance with CDB’s request, and submitted a Letter of Agreement in respect of the Technical Cooperation for countersignature by CDB (See Appendix 1 Emergency Assistance to OECS Countries affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria).