sign in sign up
<<
Home , Turks and Caicos Islands

ECLAC SUBREGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THE

Newsletter of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC)

DISASTER ASSESSMENT - DAMAGE AND LOSS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (DALA)

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - THE ECLAC METHODOLOGY

TURKS AND CAICOS - MACRO SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE AND LOSSES CAUSED BY TROPICAL STORM HANNA AND

ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008 ABOUT ECLAC/CDCC Issue 4 / October - December 2008 The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean )'0%' MWSRISJ½ZIVIKMSREPGSQQMWWMSRWSJXLI9RMXIH2EXMSRW Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It was created in 1948 to support Latin American governments in the economic and social Disaster Assessment:- Damage and Loss Assessment development of that region. Subsequently, in 1966, the Commission (ECLA, at that time) established the Subregional Headquarters for the methodology (DALA) 3 Caribbean in to serve all countries of the insular Caribbean, as well as , and , making it the largest United Damage assessment: The ECLAC Methodology 4 Nations body in the subregion. At its sixteenth session in 1975, the Commission agreed to create the - Macro Socio-Economic Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) as Assessment of the Damage and Losses caused by a permanent subsidiary body, which would function within the ECLA Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike 6 structure to promote development cooperation among Caribbean countries. Secretariat services to the CDCC would be provided by the Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean. Nine years later, the 'SQQMWWMSR´W[MHIRIHVSPI[EWSJ½GMEPP]EGORS[PIHKIH[LIRXLI )GSRSQMG'SQQMWWMSRJSV0EXMR%QIVMGE )'0% QSHM½IHMXWXMXPIXSXLI Regular Features Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Key Areas of Activity Recent ECLAC Publications 14 The ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean (ECLAC/CDCC secretariat) functions as a subregional think-tank and facilitates increased Upcoming Events - 2009 14 contact and cooperation among its membership. Complementing the ECLAC/CDCC work programme framework, are the broader directives issued by the United Nations General Assembly when in session, which constitute the Organization’s mandate. At present, the overarching articulation of this mandate is the Millennium Declaration, which outlines the Millennium Development Goals. Towards meeting these objectives, the secretariat conducts research; provides technical advice to governments, upon request; organizes intergovernmental and expert group meetings; helps to formulate and articulate a regional perspective within global forums; and introduces global concerns at the regional and subregional levels. Areas of specialisation include trade, statistics, social development, science and technology, and sustainable development; while actual operational activities extend to economic and development planning, demography, FOCUS: ECLAC in the Caribbean is a publication of the economic surveys, assessment of the socio-economic impacts of natural Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) disasters, data collection and analysis, training, and assistance with the Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean/Caribbean Development management of national economies. and Cooperation Committee (CDCC). The ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean also functions as secretariat for the Programme of Action for the Sustainable EDITORIAL TEAM: Development of Small Developing States (SIDS POA). The scope of Director Neil Pierre, ECLAC ECLAC/CDCC activities is documented in the wide range of publications Editor Joanne Mora, ECLAC produced by the Subregional Headquarters in Port of Spain. Copy Editor Maureen Afoon, ECLAC

MEMBER COUNTRIES: ASSOCIATE MEMBER Produced by ECLAC and Barbuda COUNTRIES: Printed by Caribbean Paper & Printed Products (1993) Ltd Layout by RAW Designs St.Kitts and Belize British Saint Vincent CONTACT INFORMATION: and the Grenadines Netherlands ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean Suriname PO Box 1113, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Tel:(868) 623-5595 Guyana Virgin Fax:(868) 623-8485 Islands E-mail: [email protected] THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008

DISASTER ASSESSMENT - DAMAGE AND LOSS ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (DALA)

eading Caribbean scientists have agreed that in the L Caribbean we can expect certain impacts from Climate change. These include rising sea level; warming sea water temperatures; changing weather patterns; more intense hurricanes; warmer temperatures; and more frequent occurrence of extreme Estimation of Damage Assessment and weather events. Loss Assessment (DALA) One of the ways in which ECLAC seeks The methodology developed by the to respond to the challenges posed by UN Economic Commission for Latin these events is to increase its support to America and the Caribbean (UN- Governments in the subregion in their ECLAC) is used to estimate the effects activities geared to disaster risk reduction and impact of natural hazards. and adaptation to climate change. DALA was developed in the There is little disagreement that 1970s and since then has been Disaster risk reduction is critically WXVIRKXLIRIHWMQTPM½IHERH is complemented by sector specific assessment outputs, which provide a important to adapting to the customized for application in more detailed insight into the socio- challenges posed by climate change. different areas of the world. economic impact. This combination of assessments is then used to formulate These efforts are guided by the DALA bases the assessment of disaster the recovery and reconstruction needs Hyogo Framework for Action impacts on the overall economy of into a Joint Damage, Loss and Needs the affected country as well as on Assessment (JDLNA). 2005-2015 which calls for “the household level. This provides a basis A unique aspect of the JDLNA is that substantial reduction of disaster for defining the needs for recovery and reconstruction following any disaster. it is led by the Government of the losses in lives and in the social, DALA estimates: affected country and assisted by a multi- disciplinary, multi-agency team. The economic and environmental assets The replacement value of totally JDLNA estimates: or partially destroyed physical of communities and countries”. assets that must be included in the Damage, loss and macro-economic reconstruction program impact on the affected economy Using the DALA (Damage and Loss Assessment) methodology, ECLAC Losses in the flows of the economy Impacts on livelihoods, incomes, provides technical assistance to that arise from the temporary and human development Governments in the subregion to absence of the damaged assets Short, medium and long term capture the full extent of damage and recovery and reconstruction needs losses incurred by communities and The resulting impact on post-disaster countries in the aftermath of a disaster. economic performance, with special Measures for Disaster Risk ECLAC through its assessments creates reference to economic growth, the Management. a point of departure for national government’s fiscal position and the balance of payments. In addition to undertaking disaster dialogue around disaster risk reduction, assessments, upon the requests of vulnerability reduction, sustainable To amplify the scope of the assessment governments, ECLAC provides training development and adaptation to climate and reduce the cost of conducting to national personnel in the use of the change. parallel needs assessments, DALA methodology.

3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - THE ECLAC METHODOLOGY

ECLAC SUBREGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CARIBBEAN

The ultimate goal of the ECLAC SJPSWXEWWIXWERHHI½RIVIGSRWXVYGXMSR programmes/plans needed to deal with assessment methodology is to measure VIUYMVIQIRXW-XIREFPIWXLIMHIRXM½GEXMSR needs arising from the disaster and to in monetary terms the impact of of the most affected geographical areas avoid undesirable effects in economic disasters on the society, economy and and sectors, together with corresponding performance and public well-being. environment of the affected country reconstruction priorities. In addition, it Assessment activities described should be or region. National accounts are used provides a way to estimate effects on carried out when emergency stage has as a means of valuation, supplemented IGSRSQMG¾S[WXLIEJJIGXIHGSYRXV]´W been completed or is nearing conclusion, [MXLTVSGIHYVIWJSVWTIGM½GIWXMQEXIW capacity to undertake reconstruction so as not to interfere with those such as environmental damages and the on its own and the extent to which actions and to ensure the availability differential impact on women. MRXIVREXMSREP½RERGMEPERHXIGLRMGEP of the necessary personnel and basic Application of this methodology cooperation are needed. Moreover, it information. They are intended to provides affected countries or regions can be used to identify the changes JEGMPMXEXIXLIMHIRXM½GEXMSRSJRIIHWERH with the means to determine the value to public policy and development priorities for the reconstruction stage.

4 ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008

ECLAC SUBREGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CARIBBEAN

Source: ECLAC Handbook for ECLAC SUBREGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CARIBBEAN estimating the socio-economic and environmental effects of disasters.

Diagrams: ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean.

5 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS - MACRO SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE AND LOSSES CAUSED BY TROPICAL STORM HANNA AND HURRICANE IKE

ollowing the passage of Tropical (UNDP) Jamaica office; and the on learning that Hurricane Ike was F Storm Hanna on 31 to 3 Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) heading directly for the Turks and Caicos September 2008 and Hurricane through the release of an officer to be Islands, citizens undertook emergency Ike on 6 September 2008, the part of the ECLAC team. preparedness measures, including implications of the impact posed boarding up their homes, preparing a need, apart from the immediate BACKGROUND hurricane kits and following the path of humanitarian response, for a the storm through information channels. Tropical Storm Hanna rapid assessment of the social and Given the scale of the damage on the economic impact. The assessment The Turks and Caicos Islands suffered a most affected islands, especially among was carried out using the Economic hit by two meteorological systems within the most vulnerable segment of the Commission for Latin America and a very short space of time. First, Tropical population, there was an urgent need for the Caribbean (ECLAC) disaster Storm Hanna hit the island over an relief and assistance. The government assessment methodology (DALA). extended number of days ranging from and a number institutions and agencies The DALA has been successfully Sunday 31 August to Wednesday 3 rose to the challenge. The United used in both Latin America and the September 2008. The path of this system Kingdom provided assistance by early Caribbean and has been applied in was erratic and it effectively circled the deployment of HMS Wave Ruler and East Asia and Africa. chain of islands for the period reported, Iron Duke which came to the bringing torrential rainfall and resulting Turks and Caicos Islands soon after The assessment was intended in major flooding in many of the Hurricane Ike (within the first week) and to complement and expand on communities of these islands. assisted in early stabilization efforts. the emergency and humanitarian Analysis of the historical hurricane tracks over a 105 year period, using data GENERAL RIIHWMHIRXM½IHTVIZMSYWP]F] from the National Hurricane Centre The Turks and Caicos Islands suffered the Government of the Turk (NHC) shows that there are three typical the effects of being in the path of two and Caicos Islands. The result of tracks which the hurricanes tend to meteorological systems within a very follow. Either they approach Turks and the assessment is to provide a short space of time. First, Tropical Storm Caicos Islands from the east and pass quantitative approximation of the Hanna hit the island over an extended south of the islands, approach Turks and number of days from Sunday 31 August overall damage to the economy Caicos Islands from the east and pass to Wednesday 3 September 2008. The and its impact on the affected north of the islands, or approach Turks path of this system was erratic and it and Caicos Islands from the south and population. effectively circled the chain of islands pass west of the islands. for the duration of the period, bringing Baseline data for the conduct of the Storm Hanna, the National Emergency torrential rainfall and resulting in major Macro Socio Economic Assessment Operations Centre (NEOC), the disaster flooding in many of the communities of are usually drawn from among official coordinating centre for the Turks and the islands. government data sets including: the Caicos Islands was activated. A number The second system was Hurricane Ike Population and Housing Census 2001 of persons in low lying flood-prone which passed just south of the Turks estimates of population 2007, the Survey areas sought shelter with family and and Caicos Islands on 6 September, as of Living Conditions 2000, Social friends in higher areas and a number a Category 4 hurricane, with 135 mph Indicators 2005, Vital Statistics Report of government-run shelters were also winds, affecting primarily the Turks 2006, Tourism Statistics 2000-2007, activated. The Caribbean Disaster Islands and as a result of National Accounts Statistics 2000- Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) its path. 2007, and other relevant data sets from was also put on standby to provide the Government Central Statistical assistance to the country. The Islands suffered no loss of life as Offices, Ministry of a result of these systems, but there was Finance and Ministry of Planning. Hurricane Ike much displacement of persons who sought refuge in shelters and at the For this assessment, ECLAC was Tropical Storm Hanna served to raise homes of family and friends. All persons supported by the United Nations the readiness of the population for requiring safety, shelter or food support Development Programme these types of events and therefore, were provided with such, despite the

6 ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008

challenges faced by rapid growth of the The total effect to the social sector TCI population from 19,886 in 2001 to caused by Tropical Storm Hanna and 33,202 in 2006. Hurricane Ike accounted for 58% in damage and the remainder, 42% in In all, 31% of the population or losses. The distribution of the damage and loss within the social sector 10,270 people were affected suggested that 69% of the effect in the by Tropical Storm Hanna and social sector was applied to housing, Hurricane Ike, with 2% of the 27% to health and 5% to . population or 825 people being Recommendations for consideration severely affected. included preparations for the next hurricane season, review of risk Given the scale, duration and management processes; short-term intensity of the two events, because recommendations which included , the main growth island training in the informal construction with the highest cost capital stock, was sector; strengthening capacity of the spared the ravages of the disaster, the emergency and maintenance services; financial impact was not as high as provision of micro credit facility for would be expected. fisher folk and small and ‘backyard’ Notwithstanding this, there was farmers; vulnerability reduction for significant social fall-out that could the subsector have some negative impact on people’s and advice on the oil storage facility livelihoods in the short to medium at Harbour, South Caicos. term, and also major environmental Strategic mitigation approaches damage in an already fragile ecological included the strengthening of disaster environment. The engine of growth, management capacity; the call for tourism, was spared the ravages of the relocation and/or retrofitting of disaster, with the fall-out being mainly community homes and structures located in the social sectors and infrastructure. in hazard zones and the upgrading of The contained losses stemmed from the the quality of housing and sanitation fortune of geography, with the spread of the poor urban centers and outlying of the islands allowing for only modest communities. impact on Providenciales. The per capita total impact of the disaster was relatively high, though not close to that for the in the wake of Ivan in 2004. Underscoring the relative weight of the disaster, the Tropical Storm Hanna total impact represented 25.8% of GDP, 2008 Path 96.2% of tourism GDP, which is quite significant, 54.4% of gross domestic investment, 35% of consumption and 350.6% of public debt, highlighting that debt is still at quite manageable levels. The distribution of impact across the various subsectors of the productive sector, suggests that approximately 57.0 per cent of the total damage and loss was suffered by the tourism subsector while Hurricane Ike the wholesale and trade accounted 2008 Path for 31.4 % Total impact to infrastructure which entails damage and loss to electricity, water supply, transport and roads, telecommunications, airports, seaports and fire services accounted for 26% of the total impact.

7 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

MACRO SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGE AND LOSSES

Key Social Dimensions of Disasters behind to be known as “Belongers”1. reconstruction and rehabilitation phases of addressing the disaster, In the context of the social dislocation Vulnerability of Women people must feel a part of the 1 which may be caused in the aftermath of process and that the disaster is not a natural disaster, such as the impact of There are issues peculiar to women, being used as an opportunity to Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane which need to be kept in mind as the dislocate them and exclude them Ike on the Turks and Caicos, it is usually society seeks to understand how disasters from their environment or social recommended that policy makers be impact on different segments of the processes; and mindful of the social disruption which population. Through an appreciation such events may cause and act swiftly (v) fostering social equality – it is of the differing starting points of to arrest what may be a deteriorating important that the various men and women better recovery and situation or to strengthen social populations, and in the case of reconstruction programmes can be cohesion. Turks and Caicos Islands the considered. In the Turks and Caicos Belongers and Non-Belongers, Islands, female-headed households The dimensions of social cohesion which feel that their concerns are being (FHH) comprise 34.8% of heads of may be addressed through social policy heard and treated equally with households in TCI and were more in the aftermath of the disasters which those of others. This calls for open often found among the poor than their are pertinent to the Turks and Caicos and transparent mechanisms for male counterparts. FHH traditionally Islands are: reconstruction. have an increased burden of care than the material conditions of the their male counterparts due to their population affected following the Description of Damage and inability to earn similar incomes, and (i) disaster – their dislocation from Losses by Sector the necessity to meet similar needs with housing and schools, and access to fewer resources; women are in the main health facilities; and the possible Productive Sector employed as domestics with the attendant A deteriorating relationships with disadvantages – lack of social security others; The main productive sectors in the benefits, low wages; and the poorest Turks and Caicos Islands as a whole households had more children than the (ii) the restoring of the sense of safety suffered varying degrees of impact by wealthiest. Women who depend on the and peace – the psychosocial trauma Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane informal economy to either support their which residents of Small Island Ike. The islands of North and Middle families outright, or contribute to their Developing States (SIDS) experience Caicos suffered mainly from flooding family income through backyard gardens, following a natural disaster cannot caused by Tropical Storm Hanna, while were sorely affected by the destruction be over emphasized and returning the islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos of fruit trees, vegetables and women and people to a sense of safety and peace and Cay bore the brunt of the wind children tend to be at risk of violence is important. This is true for the damage associated with Hurricane Ike. and depravation as male partners may aged and the young and for people turn to alcohol abuse and other deviant from all walks of life. It may require Tourism behaviours as the toll of not being able speedy efforts to restore safe housing to support their families and earn an and normalcy and the provision of The economy of Turks and Caicos income, becomes a reality. psychosocial counseling; Islands is highly dependent on the tourism sector. In 2007, the tourism (iii) strengthening of social networks – Threats to Social Cohesion sector contributed over 34% of GDP 2 often after a disaster people migrate and over 16% of employment. Between seeking employment or temporary Hurricanes have played an important role 2001 and 2007, jobs grew by 51.0% in shelter elsewhere. They send their not only in the economic status of the the sector, and this trend continued in children off to schools on different country shifting from production the months preceding the hurricane. islands until things return to normal to salt production and to tourism in Overall, the extent of damage to the in their own environment. These the late part of the twentieth century. tourism industry was considered to be various disruptions may affect the It has also shaped the country’s social minimal based on two factors. First, normal social networks which are development as well. The history of the Providenciales, which accounts for usually available to individuals and Turks and Caicos Islands suggests that some 87% of the hotel room stock, was families and give people a sense of the effects of the devastation of an early spared significant damage. Second, the faith and trust in the society; nineteenth century hurricane caused the hurricane hit during the low season, abandonment of settlements along with (iv) ensuring social inclusion – a sense when visitor arrivals and activity are enslaved persons. This series of events of belonging and non alienation minimal. Normally, during this period allowed descendants of those who stayed from their own environment. In the proprietors use the opportunity to

1The status of Belonger according to the Revised Immigration Ordinance of May 15, 1998, is a status gained through birth, being born to a Belonger or acquired by the decision of the Turks and Caicos Government under local legislation. 8 ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008 undertake annual refurbishments. government farm in Kew, serves as a In addition to damage to fishing mother farm. infrastructure, the subsector also The experience of Grand Turk, incurred revenue loss due to the inability however, was completely the opposite. Crops and Livestock of fishers to sell their products. It was The hurricane reduced the available estimated that it would take three to four room stock, in Providenciales, albeit The passage of Tropical Storm Hanna months for business to be back to full temporarily, in a very marked way. In and Hurricane Ike caused almost operation and rebuilding the sector will the two weeks after Hurricane Ike, complete devastation to crops. The undoubtedly require considerable capital an estimated 80% of the hotels on destruction to crops resulted in farmers outlay. Providenciales remained closed. losing vegetables, root crops and fruits at varying stages of maturity. Tree crops including coconuts, sapodillas, sugar DAMAGE apples, avocadoes and mangoes, were also severely damaged, most of them Most of the hotels in Grand Turk, flattened and/or broken by the power of in particular, experienced extensive winds from Hurricane Ike. roof damage or complete loss of Fisheries roofs which resulted in damage Fishing is a major activity in Turks and to equipment and furnishings. Caicos with a majority of the commercial In addition, Hurricane Ike was fishing taking place mainly on the Caicos Bank. In terms of value, the particularly harmful to trees and fisheries resources rank as the third most other forms of vegetation. important industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands economy after tourism and the financial services. Catches LOSS are dominated by lobster and queen , both of which are processed Losses resulting from Hurricane and exported primarily to the United Ike resulted from lower hotel States. Finfish species such as groupers, occupancy (particularly in Grand snappers and large pelagics are utilised for local consumption or as part of the Turk); lower tourist expenditure sport fishery. Fishing infrastructure in (partly due to discounted room Turks and Caicos Islands is characterized rates); increased expenditure by trap boats, electronic reel boats, traps, cold storage facilities and processing on energy due to the use . Commercial fishers experienced of emergency generators to damage or loss of fishing infrastructure compensate for the loss of which prevented or considerably slowed down fishing activities following the electricity; and lower revenues from hurricane. In addition, damage to fishing exit taxes. arrivals were infrastructure by the power outages, halted due to the passage of the led to spoilage of some stock. Damage to the fisheries subsector included hurricanes even though the cruise structural and roof damage to three ship centre was largely spared any processing plants; lost or damaged boats; and lost or damaged traps. Among the WMKRM½GERXMQTEGX fish processing plants, roof and ceiling damage; and damage to packing boxes and pump houses formed the bulk of Agriculture the damage. South Caicos, one of the Agriculture constitutes a minor industry predominant commercial fishing areas in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In in TCI, incurred roughly 80.0% of the 2007, the sector contributed 1% of damage accrued. The disruption of the GDP. At present, agriculture is chiefly a fishing subsector in South Caicos is subsistence activity among subsistence expected to lead to severe short-term farmers on North and . hardship for the population because There are three farms which have of the centrality of this activity to the provisional status of developing/ livelihood. commercial or commercial farms; a 40-

9 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

Wholesale and Retail Trade of businesses have tended to reestablish Providenciales, , Middle their businesses quickly although with Caicos and South Caicos, while TCU The wholesale and retail trade considerable financial difficulty and supplies power to Grand Turk and Salt accounts for approximately 7% with an imbedded precariousness and Cay. Approximately 90% of power lines susceptibility to future shocks. It was are above ground and are consequently of the GDP of the Turks and observed that larger businesses that were vulnerable to wind and falling trees. Caicos Islands and also contributes insured were better able to cope and New installed cable lines and electrical WMKRM½GERXP]XSIQTPS]QIRX6IXEMP resume operations on a less vulnerable switch gears are underground; these footing. are vulnerable to flooding during establishments are dominant, heavy rains from tropical storms and followed by petty traders, B Infrastructure Sector hurricanes. Standby power generators construction and transportation are used in cases of emergency, however, services. Damage as a result of Water Storage, Treatment and Supply they are limited in number. All the inhabited islands depend on diesel fuel the natural disasters includes the Water supply for residents of the Turks for power generation. Fuel is brought in destruction of a wide range of and Caicos Islands typically comes from Providenciales and Grand Turk to from wells that tap into the commercial and services activities the other islands by ferry. This inter- lens, which lies beneath some of the island transfer of fuel is loaded from an including supermarkets, small shops, islands; from infrequent rains; and from offshore linkage. In the event of heavy restaurants, and bars. reverse osmosis desalination plants. seas due to inclement weather, this Many residents in the Turks and Caicos process could be at risk. Grand Turk was by far the most severely Islands have sizeable cisterns to store affected island with an estimated 80% of water collected from roofs or delivered Telecommunications the businesses experiencing some form by truck. For example, until recently, services (land lines of damage. In a large majority of the each home built in Providenciales was and mobiles) are provided by Cable cases, wind damage was the predominant required to have one of these. For and Wireless, through a combination source of damage although there Grand Turk, there was some damage of microwave links between the islands. were instances of flooding. One large to the roof of the storage tanks next to The microwave links also carry supermarket was completely destroyed the water . In addition, there was and two others received major damage to minor damage to pipes at this location. VHF nets for emergency roof as well as structural damage. There As a result of the loss of electricity telecommunication services used by was also considerable loss of stock. In following the storm, stand-by generators police officers, Emergency Operations particular, supermarkets, restaurants and were borrowed from the Turks and Centre (EOC) officials and other small grocers in Grand Turk, Salt Cay Caicos Utilities Ltd (TCU) and from a relevant personnel. The Cable and and South Caicos suffered losses from local contractor. It should be noted that Wireless Office and the microwave their meat and dairy inventory due to water for Grand Turk is produced from towers are located in an vulnerable power outages or inconsistent power a desalination process and is operated to flooding. Mobile services to this supply during and after the hurricane. by the government, and not by a private sector are also provided by . To As observed in other jurisdictions enterprise, as it is on Providenciales. a large extent, damage to fixed lines that have undergone similar hurricane Throughout the other islands, most resulted when utility poles which impact losses associated with business people obtain water from cisterns. As a held telephone cables were brought interruptions, the losses have been consequence, there were no water supply down. Understandably, mobile services somewhat mitigated by the quick shortages following the passage of the were not too badly affected. Stand-by response of merchants to reestablish two storms, unless piping was damaged, generators were used where available. their businesses. However, the efforts or as was the case in many instances, of merchants to resume operations electricity was out and pumps were not Transportation/Roads able to work. Even in those instances, have been hampered by the increased The damage observed to this subsector however, people made an effort to fix operational costs brought about by the was restricted primarily to the causeway damaged piping themselves, or were able need to use generators for emergency spanning North and Middle Caicos. to bale water out of the cisterns by hand. electricity. In analyzing the differential This causeway forms a critical link Water shortages therefore never became impact of the hurricane and the between these two communities, and was an issue with this event. response of businesses, it was observed severely damaged during Tropical Storm that the impact was more pronounced Hanna. among micro and small businesses Electricity Generation and Transmission which comprise approximately 84% of Airports registered businesses. In general, these Electricity in the Turks and Caicos types of businesses are more vulnerable to In Grand Turk, there significant damage Islands is supplied by the Provo Power external shocks largely because a majority to the glass surround and instruments Company Ltd. (PPC) and by the Turks of them are uninsured; have very little of the control tower, damage to the roof and Caicos Utilities Ltd. (TCU). PPC savings and have no other source of of the main office building, loss of some supplies the majority of the power to income. For these reasons, these types of the runway lights, damage to the roof

10 ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008

and ceiling of the terminal building, Fire and Correctional Services But the quality of its housing which damage to the roof and contents of the is newer than that found on Grand There was some damage that occurred workshop facilities building, demolition Turk or Middle and South Caicos, to the new prison in Grand Turk. It was of an old hangar and damage to the would have acted as a safeguard in the estimated that the company employs perimeter fencing. The airport was face of a natural event. Providenciales directly or indirectly, up to 70% of the down for a four-day period, and at has experienced a development boom non-Government workforce in Grand limited capacity for a further six days since 1990 and its housing and other Turk. After the disasters there was need for restorations. In South Caicos, the structures such as hotels and villas, by for replacement of offices, a new Fire damage recorded included damage to and large, possess outer walls built of Services building, repair to the detention runway lights, destruction of the control concrete. building, replacement of furnishings and tower, including instrumentation, and repair to vehicles. damage to perimeter fencing. This airport was down for a period of 10 days, plus a further six days for restorations. Social Sectors In Providenciales, the damage recorded C included damage to perimeter fencing, The DALA methodology includes, damage to the roof of the terminal within the social sector, an estimation building; and damage to the windsock. of the housing, health and education The international airport was down subsectors. The housing subsector for a period of six days, which led to estimates damage and losses to all cancellations of many of the flights of structures used as dwellings within international carriers. The majority the Turks and Caicos Islands, whether of the losses incurred to this subsector privately or publicly owned. The were as a result of these cancellations, education subsector in addition to which led to non-payment of departure estimation of damage and losses to tax, landing fees, parking fees and air publicly and privately-owned educational navigation fees. facilities also includes sporting facilities and heritage sites. Seaports Damage to seaports was observed in Housing Grand Turk and South Caicos. First, Approximately 33% of the stock of in Grand Turk, there are two ports, a dwellings was damaged in the Turks and container port and a cruise shipping Caicos Islands, with the majority of the port. There was limited or no damage to housing stock, some 69%, remaining the container port, with the exception undamaged. When the impact of the of an empty container blown out of the disasters by Island, it was recognized holding area and onto the beach. At the that some islands such as Grand Turk, cruise shipping terminal, however, there Salt Cay and South Caicos suffered was significant damage to buildings and damage to virtually every house. Some landscaping. It is estimated that over 800 islands such as Providenciales, although coconut trees and thousands of other having a large absolute number of houses trees were blown down. In addition, the damaged, proportionately suffered less irrigation system was badly damaged as damage to its housing stock, 8%, than well as the roofs of many of the buildings any of the other islands. The other housing curio and tourist shops. It islands, North Caicos, suffered 67%, and is estimated that its closure would Middle Caicos suffered 49% damage have caused significant hardship to a to their housing stock. Such a serious number of people. On a cruise ship day, blow to a country’s housing stock may approximately 500 people work in this be as a result of the nature of the event facility, while visitor and crew numbers itself and/or the quality of housing. For can reach up to 6000. In addition to the Turks and Caicos both factors seemed on-site facilities, Carnival Cruise Lines to have played a part in the damage provides tours to visitors, which include to the housing stock. In the case of adventure type trips, as well as tours to Providenciales, its location took it out heritage and museum sites. In South of the direct impact of the hurricane, Caicos, there was damage to the main although it was affected severely by container dock face and associated edge Tropical Storm Hanna. areas.

11 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

Education Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle clean up requirements for these Caicos, South Caicos and Salt Cay, Education on Turks and Caicos Islands beaches, damage to equipment exist. Hospital care is provided through is provided by a complement of some in national parks; and damage to the two government hospitals one 39 schools spread across the islands in a on Grand Turk and the other on vegetation and signage in national mixture of public and private ownership. Providenciales. Middle and North In the Turks and Caicos Islands, parks. Caicos are supplied with outreach education for all students of school age specialist care from one facility. If is mandatory and virtually free in the The Department of Environment pubic sector. Schools cover all levels of treatment cannot be provided in Turks and Coastal Resources maintains a education. Minimal fees are charged and Caicos Islands, then patients are system of national parks in and around in the public sector. All schools were referred abroad for treatment through Grand Turk. These areas include the closed due to the impact of Tropical the Treatment Abroad Programme Columbus Landfall National Park, the Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike some paid for by Government. In addition South Creek National Park, the Grand for a longer period than others. There to the public health facilities, four Turk Cays National Park and the Long were schools that were forced to remain private clinics are available on the Cay Sanctuary. These areas are typical closed because of water damage caused Islands. The government is seeking to of a variety of plant and animal life, by the flooding or roof damage from address the acute shortage of hospital healthy coral reefs and extensive white the winds and others because of their care on the island by the construction sand beaches. The first of these four use as shelters. Still others which were of a new hospital in Grand Turk and national parks is devoted primarily to neither affected by wind nor water were Providenciales. The hospital is projected more active uses, and includes zoned affected because of the lack of electricity to be completed during 2009 and is areas for diving, swimming, picnicking, and water which affected the totality of expected to become operational early in cruise ship berthing and a trans- at least five of the six islands affected, in 2010. shipment port. By contrast, the latter the aftermath of the disaster. Although three national parks have traditionally the absolute number of schools that Thirteen of the 16 government been known for less active pursuits were damaged appears small, in some health institutions reported such as bird watching and kayaking. instances as in Salt Cay where the only damage. Of the health facilities The Columbus Landfall National Park school on the island suffered damage is bordered by a system of historic, then such damage can become a severe most affected, the Grand Turk but now derelict saltwater ponds that setback for the students on the island. Hospital was the most seriously discharge directly to the park. These impacted. The Grand Turk Hospital all form a part of the attraction base of the island’s national park system. As In the case of Grand Turk at least serves not only the island of Grand a result of Hurricane Ike, one of the 33% of the school stock was Turk but also receives referrals main public beaches in the park system, damaged. In North Caicos 60% of from other islands of Turks and Governor’s Beach, was badly eroded its schools were damaged, while in Caicos. and had a significant amount of debris South Caicos just over 60% were left on the beach face and back of beach areas, which required extensive cleanup affected. In real terms it means Outpatient and emergency services resumed immediately after the storm activities. In addition to beach erosion XLEXXLIWGLSSPPMJISJEWMKRM½GERX and the operating theatre was functional damage and cleanup requirements, all proportion of students was within 48 hours, with the assistance of of the swim zone markers were removed from the Columbus Landfall National disrupted. personnel from HMS Iron Duke and Wave Ruler and also the contractors for Park. These markers are very important, as these swim zones border areas of Not only was the school life of children the new hospital under construction varying interests such as the approach been disrupted but also family life, as nearby. General Ward, Maternity Ward of large boats and water sports vessels. many parents reported, particularly in and the Geriatric Ward were reported On the southeast corner of the island, Grand Turk, of having to send their to have suffered major damage so as the South Creek National Park provides children off island to attend school to make them non-functional. Other a unique experience for visitors to elsewhere, and stay with family and/or parts of the hospital such as the kitchen, interact with a -lagoon type of friends until life returned to some laundry, maintenance and medical stores environment. The passage of Hurricane degree of normalcy. were severely damaged. Ike resulted in very significant hurricane Health C The environmental Sector surge in this section of the island, resulting in damage to many of the The Ministry of Health provides a wide mangrove plants in the park. The surge range of services to the population of The impacts of Tropical Storm and wave action also destroyed sections Turks and Caicos Islands at both the Hanna and Hurricane Ike on the of the boardwalk throughout the park, primary and secondary care levels. A environmental sectors were felt as well as the kayak landing stages. network of health centres, one each on the main islands of Grand Turk, primarily in damage to beaches,

12 ISSUE 4 / OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2008

Solid waste and Debris Disposal Turks and Caicos Islands is responsible and Clean-up for the removal of debris from public places and households after a storm A major feature of Hurricane or any other related event. The private Ike is that it resulted in the sector is usually responsible for removal accumulation of solid waste. The of its own debris. The population affected by Ike in Turks and Caicos was debris produced consisted mainly about half the population affected in of household articles, white goods, Cayman in 2004. tree limbs, leaves and silt deposits.

A major area of concern relates to the co-mingling of all forms of waste for disposal in the disposal sites designated for municipal waste. Another issue is insect vector control in the aftermath of the hurricane. The Government of the

CONSIDERATIONS TO THE RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION PROCESSES

In light of the impact of Tropical to the pre-disaster development gap, micro, meso and macro levels; building Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike it was both in terms of financial resources capacity in the capture of information recommended that it may be useful and in other crucial aspects such as regarding damage and loss at the for the policy makers of the Turks and planning, regulations and legal and community level; strengthening baseline Caicos Islands to consider inter alia the institutional implications. Among these, information systems especially national following for action: the adoption of appropriate financial statistical systems to produce timely Help prioritize actions for the short- protection instruments to protect against and periodic data; make use of risk term preparation and improvement extreme events such as this one and assessment in the location of all critical before the tourism season begins to enable efforts for the adaptation to facilities; strengthening economic climate change. Issues of insufficient diversification efforts (through provision Prepare adequately for the next use of insurance and other risk transfer of incentives to fisher-folk, subsistence hurricane season mechanisms and the inappropriate farmers, meso and micro entrepreneurs) pricing of risk, leading to a vicious circle Make clear government policies to generate alternative employment in which public goods become public which will link the recovery and opportunities and as a risk reduction calamities should be noted. reconstruction to the medium- and strategy; providing special incentives to increase the participation of youth and long-term development plans of the Short term recommendations include female producers, particularly those who country. Especially important will be support efforts to meet the basic needs are heads of households, in the economic (a) Poverty and its attendant ills; (b) of the poorest; provision of training for development process; addressing Fast pace of growth; (c) The engines the informal construction sector in risk the relocation and/or retrofitting of of growth of the economy and reduction practices at community level; community homes and structures located their vulnerability to global shocks; strengthen capacity at the Emergency in hazard zones; upgrading the quality (d) The structural rigidities of the and Maintenance Services (EMS); of housing and sanitation of the poor economy; (e) The social dynamics of design financial mechanisms to ensure urban centers and outlying communities; inequality and marginalization; and reconstruction with mitigation of homes exploring the location of electricity (f) Strained carrying capacity and and government buildings; provide distribution systems underground in physical vulnerability of the islands micro credit facility for fisher folk and critical areas; ensuring structurally sound to storm surge. small and ‘backyard’ farmers to ensure design and construction of critical road quick resumption of economic activity; In conclusion, the recovery and network systems; safeguarding and/or ensure restoration and safeguarding of reconstruction framework to be halting the erosion of costal zones and heritage sites; and establish vulnerability constructed in the post-disaster scenario the destruction of ; and reduction for the telecommunications should be seen not only as a “build develop long term plans for solid waste subsector. back better” programme but a resilience management. building one that enhances the viability Strategic mitigation approaches to and sustainability for their development advance sustainable livelihoods and The entire Disaster Assessment Report is strategy. It should be recognized that development include strengthening available online at http://www.eclac.org/ the disaster poses an additional gap disaster management capacity at the publicaciones/xml/2/35272/L.185.pdf

13 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE

LIST OF RECENT ECLAC PUBLICATIONS UPCOMING EVENTS Listed by Catalogue Number, Title and Date 1 ST QUARTER

LC/CAR/L.187 December/2008 Expert group meeting on the Evaluation of the core team training workshop socio-economic impact of CARIFORUM-EU Economic disasters using the ECLAC Methodology: A sustainable livelihood approach, Partnership Agreement Kingston, Jamaica, 29-31 October 2008

LC/CAR/L.186 December/2008 Meeting on the review of the Biotechnology: origins and development in the Caribbean Economics of Climate Change in the Region LC/CAR/L.185 December/2008 Turks and Caicos Islands - Macro socio-economic assessment of the damage and losses caused by Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike Meeting of experts to examine the development of environmental LC/CAR/L.184 December/2008 technologies in the Caribbean Policy brief: Biotechnology with special reference to the Caribbean

LC/CAR/L.183 December/2008 Expert group meeting to review the Selected Statistical Indicators of Caribbean Countries: Vol. XXI achievements regarding improvement of social statistics for measuring and LC/CAR/L.182 December/2008 monitoring Millennium Development Report on the retrieval of data for small areas of microcomputers Goals (REDATAM) training of trainers workshop

LC/CAR/L.181 November/2008 Fourteenth Monitoring Committee meeting of the CDCC The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA): An assessment of issues relating to market access, safeguards and implications for regional integration Meeting of the Technical Advisory LC/CAR/L.180 November/2008 Committee of the Regional Socio-demographic analysis of youth in the Caribbean - A three country case Coordinating Mechanism study

Meeting of experts to examine LC/CAR/L.179 November/2008 macroeconomic policy coordination The escalation in world food prices and its implications for the Caribbean in the Caribbean, with special focus RQÀVFDODQGPRQHWDU\SROLF\UHJLPHV LC/CAR/L.178 October/2008 Report of the Caribbean technical meeting on the establishment of a gender equality observatory in Latin America and the Caribbean Expert group meeting to review the achievements regarding the LC/CAR/L.177 October/2008 implementation of major global and Review of Cariforum-EU EPA in development cooperation and WTO regional programs of action in the compatibility area of population and development

14 INFORMATION UPDATE FORM

Please help us to keep our FOCUS Newsletter mailing list current by ensuring that we have your correct contact information (correctly spelt name, proper designation, correct address, etc.) recorded on this issue’s mailing label. Any changes or additions should be filled in on the form below and returned to our office.

Mr. Miss. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Prof. Other (specify)

Family Name First Name

Job Title

Organisation

Address

Telephone Contact (s)

Fax E-mail

RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO:

1 Chancery Lane, PO Box 1113, Port of Spain,Trinidad and Tobago Tel: (868) 623-5595 Fax: (868) 623-8485 E-mail: [email protected] Background Comprehensive Disaster Management to support a regional approach. (CDM). The goal was to link CDM he Caribbean Region is particularly to development decision-making and prone to natural disasters such as planning. Five years after the embracing Additionally, in the Caribbean hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic of CDM by the region and against a several agencies and organisations eruptions and flooding all of which have background of recent global catastrophes, impacted negatively on the economic, there was a recognized desire among have been mandated to address social and environmental strata of these disaster management stakeholders in one or more of the disaster islands wiping out years of investments the Caribbean to accelerate initiatives and severely setting back the process of in promoting disaster loss reduction components and are therefore development. This was apparent in 2004 through a review of CDM achievements committed to providing support to when economic losses in the Cayman and a revisit of the CDM Strategy to the Region, whether directly Islands, Jamaica and Grenada as a result sharpen its results focus. of Hurricane Ivan were recorded at US or indirectly, within their area/s $3.5 million, US $600 million and US However, the magnitude of impacts $890 million respectively; Hurricanes wrought by natural disasters requires of interest. Frances and Jeanne resulted in losses of a holistic approach as it is clear that US $551 million in the Bahamas while they are having significant negative International Organisations the impacts of alone socio-economic impacts on the already World Bank set back the Dominican Republic by US vulnerable economies of these islands, $296 million. Earthquake activity in impacts that may be exacerbated by The World Bank promotes disaster Dominica resulted in losses in the sum of impending climate change. Recognising prevention as an integral component US $46 million. In fact, economic losses that the vulnerability of the Caribbean of development rather than as a humanitarian issue. In this regard, the in 2004 alone from all these disasters region precludes its susceptibility to these Bank is focused on the pre-disaster phase totalled US $5,763 million. impacts, several international, regional and advocates incorporating disaster and national agencies, institutions and prevention needs into the countries’ The Region has not only suffered organizations have given their support to development plans, including Poverty disaster management particularly in the economic losses but populations Reduction Strategies and the Bank’s own areas of risk reduction and vulnerability Country Assistance Strategies. and infrastructure have also been assessments of the impacts of disasters. Department for International affected. To properly address the vulnerability of these islands in terms of risk Development (DFID) Over the last decades, population The Newsletter of thereduction Caribbean and assessingDevelopment the impacts and CooperationThe Department Committee for International increases and developmental pressures Development (DFID) is the part of the ECLAC Subregionalof natural disasters Headquarters on societies, for the the Caribbean have led to the expansion and/or UK Government that manages Britain’s Inter-American Development Bank creation of centres of population in aid to poor countries and works to get rid PO Box(IDB 1113, 2005) Port has of categorised Spain,Trinidad disaster and Tobago areas that are vulnerable to these natural of extreme poverty. DFID’s involvement Tel:management (868) 623-5595 into the Fax: following (868) two 623-8485 hazards. In some of the islands of the E-mail: [email protected] in disaster management is essentially in (2) phases each comprising three (3) eastern Caribbean, the physical terrain http://www.eclacpos.org the disaster phase as it offers emergency has forced the development of towns components: aid to affected countries. and villages to be within the coastal zone Pre-disaster Phase – involves risk and these are usually the first locations Inter-American Development Bank identification, risk mitigation and risk (IDB) to be affected by tropical storms and transfer; hurricanes. In 2004, the population Until recently, the Inter-American affected by Hurricane Ivan in the Disaster Phase – involves disaster Development Bank’s assistance to Cayman Islands stood at 83%, two (2) preparation, emergency response and borrower nations hit by disasters chiefly deaths resulted and 13,535 dwelling rehabilitation and reconstruction . involved lending for reconstruction places were damaged. This could be efforts that is, in the disaster compared with Haiti where 4% of the The pre-disaster phase essentially focuses rehabilitation phase. However, in population was affected, 3,000 deaths on risk reduction while the disaster phase 2005 the IDB decided to take a more were reported and 49,882 dwelling places focuses largely on addressing the impacts proactive approach to disaster risk were damaged; Jamaica with 14% of the of disasters1. management which would become population affected, 17 deaths reported an integral part of projects in sectors and 102,000 dwelling places damaged; There are a number of agencies/ such as infrastructure, housing, energy, and Grenada with 79% of the population organizations/institutions that agriculture, water and sanitation. The affected, 28 reported deaths and 28,000 have developed or are developing IDB therefore works with borrowing dwelling places damaged. methodologies for addressing disasters. It member countries to assess the potential impacts of disasters, the vulnerability In order to address this situation, in is desirable that in promoting a holistic of specific geographic areas and critical 2001 CARICOM, through broad based approach it would be expedient to public infrastructure, their national stakeholder consultations, adopted a determine how existing methodologies capacity to finance reconstruction and Strategy and Results Framework for may be streamlined and/or strengthened governments’ institutional capability