The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean in strengthening resilience against future crises.
Speaking at the official handing-over ceremony of the New Beginnings Transit Home Learning Resource Centre, IDB Financial Sector Senior Specialist Michael Hall lauded Saint Lucia’s recovery efforts and emphasized the urgent need for sustained preparedness amid persistent regional vulnerabilities.
“As a region, we are still exposed to numerous shocks—extreme weather events, global conflicts, and economic disruptions. When these challenges arise, we must be equipped to respond effectively,” Hall said during the youth-focused event.
The new facility is part of a broader initiative to ensure learning continuity for at-risk youth in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was funded under a loan agreement between the IDB and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), designed to help Eastern Caribbean nations manage the health, social, and economic fallout of the global crisis.
“This program was born out of a crisis,” Hall noted. “But today, we are focused on recovery and resurgence—for our households, our communities, and our economies.”
He commended the Government of Saint Lucia and the CDB for their determination in advancing the project despite the restrictions posed by the pandemic. Hall also highlighted the IDB’s enduring partnership with the CDB, which spans over four decades and has delivered critical support throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
“At the IDB, our mission is to finance initiatives that yield real, measurable benefits for communities,” he added. “This is the heart of our work—to improve lives.”
Hall concluded with optimism, expressing hope that future regional collaborations would be driven not by crisis, but by shared opportunity and innovation.
