Dear Editor,

After such a tragic disaster, which has destabilised multiple parishes, the task of the Government is to assess not only the damage incurred by the country, but also the steps needed to prevent a similar level of destruction when faced with a similar category of hurricane. Below are some strategies I believe the Government should consider implementing in order to strengthen our disaster preparedness capacity.

First, is a Caribbean Disaster Protocol (CarDi-Pro). The Caribbean Disaster Protocol (CarDi-Pro) would be a regional disaster management partnership mechanism whereby Caricom countries affected by disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes could seek assistance from other Caricom countries unaffected by said disasters.

This level of regional cooperation is what is needed in order to safeguard countries located on the hurricane belt, because, as Melissa has demonstrated, a powerful hurricane definitely has the potential to destroy our local disaster management capacity and leave the entire nation at its mercy.

Therefore, by having a pre-established system of regional cooperation, immediate assistance can be requested from other Caricom countries, which will save many vulnerable people affected by the disaster.

Second, is a relocation programme. The Government should consider preventing citizens from rebuilding in certain flood-prone and low-lying areas so that they are not at an increased risk of danger during the next hurricane. Since people who live in these disaster zones are usually low-income earners, it would greatly aid in their compliance if the Government relocated them to safer lands. There are many countless acres of crown lands that are not flood-prone that can be used for resettling residents from areas that should be designated as disaster zones and unfit for residential infrastructure.

Third, is better housing infrastructure. Citizens living in western Jamaica tend to resort to living in houses made from wood, which we regularly refer to as board houses. Although these affordable houses can assist low-income Jamaicans in owning their own homes, they are notoriously unreliable during disasters such as hurricanes. Therefore, the practice of building houses out of wood must be discontinued in favour of more durable materials such as concrete and steel.

A first-hand account of how volatile board houses are to hurricane winds has demonstrated that they are inadequate in securing the life and property of an individual, and, therefore, should be gradually discontinued.

Fourth, is massive drainage infrastructure. In order to significantly decrease the potential of flooding occurring throughout the country, rural and urban infrastructure must facilitate massive drainage systems that can reroute thousands of gallons of water that usually settle and cause flooding during a hurricane or heavy rain event.

Fifth, is uninterrupted utilities. I think I speak for every Jamaican when I say that we would appreciate having hurricane-proof utilities so that we can enjoy electricity, water, and cellphone services during a hurricane. If the Jamaica Public Service is tasked with burying our electricity lines underground in safe piping tubes, then the country may be able to enjoy electricity during a hurricane. This would impact water supply as well since the water pumps are electrically operated.

Having the ability to communicate during a disaster can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, telecommunications providers are expected to advance their telecoms infrastructure and make it less susceptible to vandalism and wind damage.

Sixth, is increased food production. Since food shortage has become an observable trend in our supermarkets in the days before an impending hurricane, it is imperative that an increased supply of food is made available to the public so that the major shortages in products, such as bread and canned goods, is avoided.

Once Jamaica is declared to be on hurricane watch, local food producers, such as bakeries and canneries, should increase their production to meet the anticipated increased demand. Food imports should also be increased so that a diverse collection of food products is always available to the Jamaican consumer.

If implemented, these strategies can better prepare Jamaica for another disaster and decrease the potential for loss of life.

Toraino Beckford

torainobeckford@gmail.com