BRITISH VIRGIN Overseas Territory Profile

UK OVERSEAS CARICOM ASSOCIATE CDEMA PARTICIPATING TERRITORY MEMBER STATE OPERATIONAL PRESENCE 1 UN AGENCIES Department of Disaster NGOs Management (DDM) n/a 1

Coverage from UN RC’s Office in Coordination KEY FIGURES 90+ POPULATION 2 80-84 28,054 70-74 60-64 50-54 40-44 30-34 20-24 10-14 0-4 SEASONAL RISK RECENT DISASTERS GDP PER CAPITA 3 URBAN POPULATION 4 JAN 1999 11 US$28,054 47.7% IN TOTAL (High Income) 22M DAMAGES & FEB POVERTY RATE 2 LOSSES 22% n/a MAR COVID-19 2010 11 Prior to COVID-19 outbreak, the British ’ (BVI) economy was on the path to 7M IN TOTAL recovery following the 2017 hurricane season. However, the pandemic threatens to reverse APR DAMAGES this trend, as it will inevitably impact the two pillars of its economy, financial services and . The best-case scenario predicts that interruptions in the tourism sector will result in declines in economic output between 11 and 13 per cent, triggering a four or five-fold MAY increase in unemployment, which will disproportionately affect women and migrants.5 2017 HURRICANE SEASON 12* For the most recent update on the COVID-19 caseload, see the PAHO daily reported COVID- JUN 18K PEOPLE 19 data. For the latest information on curfews and other measures, click here. AFFECTED KEY ISSUES JUL RECOVERY AFTER IRMA MOST COMMON DISASTER caused widespread devastation in BVI with the productive sector, followed AUG TYPE (2000-2019) 13 by the social sector and infrastructure, being most affected.6 In particular, the tourism sector, which accounted for 27 per cent of GDP in 2013 and one in four jobs prior to Irma,2 was the sector most impacted by the Category 5 hurricane, incurring 41.3 per cent of SEP damages and 81.5 per cent of total losses.6 While tourism began to recover in 2018, stay- 7 over and cruise arrivals remained below pre-2017 levels, a problem which will only be 2 exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. OCT PEOPLE AFFECTED BY MIGRANT POPULATIONS DISASTERS (2000-2019) 12* BVI ranks second among and territories with the highest proportion of migrants as a percentage of the total population.8 More than 60 per cent of the BVI popu- NOV 18K lation was born overseas, with many coming from neighboring Caribbean countries in search of sustainable employment. Most immigrants remain temporary workers with limited access TOTAL DAMAGES CAUSED 9 to education and health services, and Spanish-speaking migrants may potentially exper- DEC BY DISASTERS (2000-2019) 13 ience greater vulnerability during emergencies due to the language barrier. BREXIT $3B Brexit threatens to cut off an important source of economic, financial and political support for BVI, as it is eligible for funding for development, as well as disaster preparedness and LAC INFORM RISK response, through the European Union (EU) and benefits from access to markets and its (Max 10) relationship with neighbouring EU Overseas Territories.10 Brexit may also have negative implications for BVI’s economy, especially international financial services and tourism, n/a which are the most important sectors.

The numbers presented are for orientation and not conclusive. Sources: 1. OCHA 3W as of 2020 / 2. Government of the / 3. UNdata / 4. Bank / 5. UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women / 6. ECLAC / 7. Caribbean Development Bank / 8. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Caribbean / 9. UNICEF / 10. Overseas Territories Association / 11. The University of the / 12. Ingeniar Risk Intelligence / 13. CRED EM-DAT. Creation date: 2020. Feedback: [email protected]. *Data only available for Hurricane Irma.