1. NS4540 Winter Term 2019 Caribbean Natural DisastersRo

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.