THE devastation wrought by hurricanes Irma and Maria on Caribbean territories has taken a severe toll on the physical infrastructure of those countries and it would take at least 10 years before they could become viable once again.
This is the view of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who said on Monday that the fragility of the economies within the Caribbean will gravely affect their ability to restructure in a timely manner. “We have always been vulnerable in the Caribbean, because of the nature of our economy. Most of our countries depend on tourism and now with what has happened, there will not be an attractive tourist destination,” Nagamootoo said, adding that the tourism industry would need the support of all partners to rebuild.
Several Caribbean countries, including the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Antigua’s sister island Barbuda and most recently Dominica, have lost hundreds billions of dollars after the hurricanes swept through them. Many families have lost loved ones, while some persons had to be evacuated to other countries.

The Governments in several of those countries are beginning to rebuild their infrastructure. Barbuda has been left completely devastated by Hurricane Irma. An estimated 95% of that country’s structures are damaged, and the entire island of around 1,800 people has been evacuated.
The small island community is said to have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $1 billion a year. The country’s ambassador to the U.S., Sir Ronald Sanders, had said recently that the country cannot afford to take on the responsibility (of rebuilding) by itself. “Barbuda is not just a disaster, it’s a humanitarian crisis. We are hopeful that the international community will come to our aid, not because we’re begging for something we want, but because we’re begging for something that is needed.”

He said currently initial estimates suggest that Barbuda will need about $200 million to recover. Over 90 percent of buildings were destroyed, including all government premises. Barbudans are temporarily living in neighbouring Antigua until they can resume their lives back in Barbuda. While Barbuda was destroyed by Hurricane Irma, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has had two bouts. First suffering Irma and then falling at the mercy of Hurricane Maria.

According to “the Star” report, Hurricane Maria struck the island last Tuesday night, destroying most of what was left after the first storm. It dragged the debris left behind by Hurricane Irma across the island — causing further road blocks and thrashing of homes.
And over in Dominica, the situation there had brought Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit to tears. He exclaimed to Heads of Government at the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly last week, that “Dominica was brought to its knees.” The Commonwealth country was hit by Hurricane Maria in the early morning hours of Tuesday last. The Government of Guyana through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been assisting countries, donating an initial US $100,000. Government officials also visited the Irma-battered countries to meet with Guyanese and assess their immediate needs. Government insists that there is still much to be done and has invited the public to make donations to several bank accounts to aid in the process.