I knew I wanted to write a blog about natural disasters because of what we experienced here in the region this week. I didn't know what to say, what? should I have said 'Thank God we only god some rain.' How...trite. Yet, there's Carricaou a nd Petit Martinique. No words can describe what has happened there. What does sending thoughts and prayers do? Yet, in the aftermath, look at their resilience! Then came Dickon Mitchell, the Grenadian Prime Minister's statements at the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) press briefing, '...that the hurricane is the direct result of the climate crisis..." (2004), and his demand for climate justice.
I would never have thought of this. I would never have thought to seek justice over something many considered to be natural. Who is to blame when a natural disaster strikes? Some would say it is an act of God and blame God. But here the Grenadian prime Minister is presenting a different case–the case for climate justice. His sentiments can certainly be understood. Our region is impacted by these disasters (hurricanes in particular) which means we face a disproportionate burden that sets us back decades and amplifies existing inequalities and vulnerabilities within our region.
Yes, the Caribbean region is prone to natural disasters from (Irma and Maria in 2017, Dorian in 2019 and recent Bery) this month. Yes, natural disasters are just that…natural, but Grenadian Prime Minister Mitchell's call for climate justice resonates as it reflects a sentiment and acknowledgement that some of this is not natural , the hurricane might just be a direct result of the climate crisis…” (AST NADMA Press briefing, 2024). Certainly when our region is impacted by these disasters (hurricanes in particular) we face a disproportionate burden that sets us back decades and amplifies existing inequalities and vulnerabilities within our countries.
One of the most concerning things is the potential of natural disasters like hurricanes to disrupt schooling. Once a hurricane is in the region there are various storm, flood and hurricane alerts. Some countries might have minor disruption, like a day off from work and school (which is met with more celebratory vibes than dread) and others like Carriacou and Petit Martinique which are still reeling from the aftermath face not only loss of life, property damage, devastation of crops, displacement and homelessness but significant disruptions in schooling.
This is where we learn how much we underestimate the importance of schools. Schools provide a sense of community and interaction. They are safe havens (not only in the sense of potential shelters which they are often used for) but they provide routine and stability for many students whose home lives are anything but safe and stable. It is often the sole source of nutritious meals for students. All this we know in theory and take for granted but when disaster strikes (as it did this month) we would have immediately felt the loss of learning time and academic setbacks, as this time of year is when schools would have been engaged in their end of year evaluations. It may sound selfish to talk of such things when people do not have a roof over their heads but we would have had to get around to it at some point.
It cannot be denied that parents and guardians will be prioritizing immediate needs and focusing on recovery efforts rather than education. But one cannot deny either that this can lead to prolonged absences from school which can have long term effects as it pertains to educational attainment. As families relocate and struggle to meet basic needs, many will be faced with closed schools, others would have had to relocate which sets back those who would have already been at-risk and vulnerable members of society. Even if school structures somehow managed to survive the disaster, the damage to surrounding infrastructure can make them inaccessible, thereby presenting another problem. When everything has been lost, getting back on one’s feet is a seemingly insurmountable task that many never achieve.
While improved building codes and the efforts of Governments and NGOs work to ensure that children have access to education, it is essential that we recognize our interconnectedness and remember that we are one Caribbean community. Let us not be one voice crying in the wilderness but a pack, strong in numbers.
Copyright © Lana. S. 2024
Comments
Post a Comment