The programme, to be implemented by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), comes in support to the government's ongoing efforts and aims to fully establish fully equipped and functional emergency shelters in the BVI, as well as to contribute to the islands' efforts to strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards and disasters. Most of the existing shelters in the BVI will be rehabilitated and upgraded to the highest resilience standards, as well as pre-stocked with the necessary emergency relief items.

Acknowledging the need for structured and robust shelter management, this action will include the development of a training plan aimed at sensitising BVI's communities on disaster response strategies and services offered in the shelters and providing shelter management training to targeted community members.

This action is part of a series of regional and bilateral special measures funded by the European Union in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria, among which are a support to Barbuda and Dominica for housing reconstruction and a World Bank-Implemented Caribbean Regional Resilience Facility.