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NS4540 Winter Term 2019 Caribbean Natural Disasters

This overview examines the vulnerability of Caribbean countries to natural disasters, their dependence on outside assistance for recovery, and the economic consequences they face. It delves into the challenges faced by countries like Puerto Rico and explores the potential impact on the region's economy and population.

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NS4540 Winter Term 2019 Caribbean Natural Disasters

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  1. NS4540Winter Term 2019Caribbean Natural Disasters

  2. Overview • Robert Looney, Battered by Storms and Exposed to Climate Change, Caribbean Faces Daunting Recovery, World Politics Review, October 13, 2017 • Chief characteristic of the Caribbean countries is their vulnerability to developments outside of their control • Several generalizations • Countries will be dependent on outside assistance for their recovery and reconstruction • Those with colonial connections better positioned for receiving aid • However in the case of Puerto Rico, picture is mixed.

  3. Countries Affected • Major hurricane damage devastated all or most of • Antigua • Barbuda • St. Martin • U.S. and U.K Virgin Islands • Anguilla • Cuba, • Puerto Rico • Turks and Caicos • Dominican Republic • St. Kitts • Nevis and • Guadeloupe

  4. Puerto Rico • While Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin islands automatically qualified them for U.S. assistance programs, clear that access to assistance more problematic than for the fifth American states • Country’s use of the dollar precludes a devaluation that might help improve competitiveness • Before hurricanes the enforcement of U.S. minimum wages produced wide-spread unemployment • Jones Act prevents contracting with cheaper non-U.S. shippers

  5. Vicious Circles • Caribbean countries have endured increasingly frequent hurricanes, earthquakes and crop shortfalls in recent years • Aid fatigue setting in • Vicious circle developing whereby • Inadequate funds for reconstruction lessening resistance to climate change • Results in large pockets of poverty • Leading to growing numbers of citizens highly vulnerable in the next round of natural disasters. • If pattern continues look for • Accelerated depopulation of the region with • Mounting numbers of climate refugees

  6. Assessment • While specifics vary across the Caribbean in all cases assistance tends to be directed toward • Immediate humanitarian needs rather than • Longer term recovery focused on economic growth and resiliency • In most badly damaged islands economic consequences already dire • Disaster will be felt for several years and may lead to extended economic crisis. • Countries need to diversify away from tourism, but other areas such as financial services and tax havens coming under increased scrutiny.

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