Euro 24.9m from Netherlands for Disaster Response Network

Rabobank of the Netherlands has provided a loan facility of Euro 24.9 million for the second phase of the upgrading of the Disaster Response Network in Sri Lanka.

The Local Government and Provincial Councils Ministry and the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry are in the final stage of the implementation of upgrading the disaster response network of 18 local authorities and establishment of a Tsunami Early Warning System under Phase I of the project.

Rabobank of the Netherlands has provided a loan facility of Euro 41.4 million for the project's Phase I which Euro 10.6 million was financed out of a Dutch Government Grant Facility.

Phase II is an extension of the project and involves the upgrading of 18 fire stations established in Phase I with additional equipment, establishing two fire stations in Trincomalee and Chilaw, erecting 25 early warning towers, setting up communication system and providing vehicles and equipment, establishing 15 District Disaster Management Co-ordinating Units and construction of a Disaster Management Co-ordination and Operation Centre in Colombo.

The loan agreement for the financing of the project were signed at the Finance and Planning Ministry yesterday. The agreements were signed by Finance and Planning Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government and Rabobank Vice President H. Bartelds on behalf of Rabobank. Netherlands Ambassador M. Cuelenaere and Department of External Resources Director General J.H.J. Jayamaha also attended the signing ceremony.