Caribbean Resilience after Natural Disasters – The Borgen Project

Report on Caribbean Resilience Building in the Face of Natural Disasters

Introduction: Climate Vulnerability and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Caribbean region is exceptionally vulnerable to a high frequency of natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, which pose significant threats to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Events such as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, underscore the devastating impact on infrastructure, economies, and human lives, directly impeding progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This report analyzes the strategic shift from disaster response to long-term resilience, highlighting initiatives that integrate climate adaptation and sustainable rebuilding practices across the region.

Analysis of Regional Vulnerabilities

Socio-Economic Challenges

The capacity of Caribbean nations to withstand and recover from natural disasters is constrained by pre-existing socio-economic conditions that conflict with core SDG principles.

• Poverty and Food Insecurity: With one in four people living in poverty and 37% of the population facing moderate to severe food insecurity, disaster events severely exacerbate hardship, undermining SDG 1 and SDG 2.
• Economic Dependence: Small, tourism-dependent economies are fragile. Climate-related damages, projected to rise from 5% of regional GDP in 2025 to over 20% by 2100, threaten progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Displacement and Debt: Between 2008 and 2023, natural disasters displaced 10 million people. Post-disaster recovery efforts often lead to increased national debt, creating a cycle of vulnerability.

Strategic Frameworks for Resilience

In response to catastrophic events like Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017), a concerted effort has been made to strengthen regional resilience through multi-stakeholder partnerships, aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

1. Regional Cooperation: Initiatives like the Caribbean Regional Resilience Building Facility (CRRBF), supported by the European Union and the World Bank, aim to enhance long-term adaptation capacity.
2. Institutional Strengthening: National and regional strategies focus on improving disaster governance and policy, which is central to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
3. Infrastructure and Early Warning: Key investments are directed towards building resilient infrastructure (SDG 9) and modernizing early warning and weather forecasting systems to support SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Case Studies in National Resilience Initiatives

Jamaica: Strengthening Preparedness and Basic Services

Jamaica’s approach emphasizes community-based disaster preparedness and ensuring access to essential services, reflecting a commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

• The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), a key national institution, coordinates risk reduction strategies.
• Following Hurricane Beryl in 2024, a partnership between UNICEF and ODPEM distributed 400 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Shelter Kits to emergency shelters.
• The UNDP supports risk-informed development and enhances disaster governance through community-level engagement.

Dominica: Resilient Housing and Infrastructure Reconstruction

After Hurricane Maria destroyed 90% of its housing in 2017, Dominica launched the “Build Back Better” Housing Project, a direct implementation of principles for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and SDG 11.

1. The World Bank-funded project rebuilt 676 small homes to higher resilience standards.
2. Financial grants and technical assistance were provided to homeowners to facilitate sustainable recovery.
3. Local contractors and government staff received practical training on resilient building techniques, enhancing local capacity.

Haiti: Community-Led Recovery and Economic Empowerment

Haiti’s recovery from the 2010 earthquake demonstrates the power of local ownership in achieving sustainable outcomes, particularly for SDG 1 and SDG 8.

• The reconstruction process, involving civil society and local communities in decision-making, created over 300,000 jobs.
• Training was provided to 2,700 Haitian professionals, building local expertise for future development.
• Partnerships, including with the Red Cross Red Crescent, provided improved shelters to over 44,000 households.
• Critical disaster risk reduction infrastructure was built, including 2,000 meters of gabion walls to mitigate future hazards.

Conclusion: Building Forward for Sustainable Development

The Caribbean islands are transitioning from a reactive post-disaster recovery model to a proactive strategy centered on long-term resilience. By embedding education, capacity building, and institutional strengthening into recovery efforts, these nations are not only rebuilding but also advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. These integrated projects, supported by international partnerships and local leadership, are essential for creating a sustainable and climate-resilient future for the region.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article connects natural disasters to economic vulnerability, stating that “one in four people live in poverty” in the Caribbean and that post-disaster recovery often leads to debt, exacerbating poverty.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article highlights food insecurity as a major issue, noting that “37% of the population is moderately/severely food insecure.” It also mentions that natural disasters like floods destroy agricultural resources (“flooded farmland”), directly impacting food availability.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article discusses the vulnerability of “small and tourism-dependent” Caribbean economies. It also points to reconstruction efforts as a source of economic activity and employment, such as in Haiti where rebuilding “created more than 300,000 jobs.”
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • A central theme is the destruction and rebuilding of infrastructure. The article mentions Hurricane Maria “destroyed 90% of Dominica’s housing” and that recovery efforts focus on “building resilient infrastructure” and projects like the “Build Back Better Housing Project.”
5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article directly addresses the impact of disasters on communities, including housing destruction (“demolishing 4,500 homes”), the need for emergency shelters (“opened 800 emergency shelters”), and mass displacement (“10 million people faced displacement from 2008 to 2023”). It also emphasizes community-level resilience and preparedness.
6. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article is fundamentally about adapting to and building resilience against climate-related disasters. It discusses the increasing frequency of “hurricanes, floods, droughts” and the need to “strengthen early warning systems” and plan for “climate resilience” as climate damages are projected to rise.
7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article provides numerous examples of collaboration, including the Caribbean Regional Resilience Building Facility (CRRBF) which involves the European Union, GFDRR, and the World Bank. It also mentions partnerships between UNICEF and ODPEM in Jamaica, and the Red Cross with local Haitian institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.
   • The article’s focus on “Caribbean resilience after natural disasters” for vulnerable populations where “one in four people live in poverty” directly aligns with this target. Initiatives aim to reduce the impact of hurricanes and floods on these communities.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • This is demonstrated by the “Build Back Better Housing Project” in Dominica, the rebuilding of “roads, homes, and public facilities” in Haiti, and the overall regional strategy of “investing in modern weather forecasting and building resilient infrastructure.”
3. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • The article quantifies the impact of disasters (“75 total deaths,” “$48 billion” in damage) and describes efforts to mitigate future impacts through “early-action systems,” “emergency shelters,” and “national disaster risk reduction strategies.”
4. Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
   • The article mentions the formation of Jamaica’s ODPEM, which “incorporates community resilience, educational initiatives, and policy reforms within national disaster risk reduction strategies,” reflecting the implementation of integrated disaster risk management plans.
5. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • This is the core theme of the article. It details how the Caribbean region is developing “stronger regional cooperation and investment in disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience” and strengthening “early warning systems” to adapt to climate-related hazards.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article showcases this target through examples like the partnership between UNICEF and ODPEM, the World Bank’s funding for Dominica’s recovery, and the collaboration between the Red Cross, Haitian institutions, and local communities for reconstruction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can measure progress:

• Direct Disaster Impact Indicators:
  • Number of deaths caused by disasters (e.g., “75 total deaths in Jamaica and Haiti”).
  • Amount of direct economic loss (e.g., “estimated damage of more than $48 billion”).
  • Number of people displaced by disasters (e.g., “10 million people faced displacement from 2008 to 2023”).
  • Percentage of population affected by infrastructure damage (e.g., “70% of the population lost electricity”).
• Resilience and Recovery Indicators:
  • Number of housing units rebuilt or repaired (e.g., “rebuilt 676 small homes” in Dominica, “improved shelters to more than 44,000 households” in Haiti).
  • Amount of financial investment in resilience projects (e.g., “$40 million house recovery project”).
  • Number of jobs created through reconstruction efforts (e.g., “more than 300,000 jobs” in Haiti).
  • Number of emergency shelters established (e.g., “opened 800 emergency shelters”).
  • Length of protective infrastructure constructed (e.g., “2,000 metres of gabion walls were constructed”).
• Capacity Building and Preparedness Indicators:
  • Existence of national disaster risk reduction strategies (e.g., ODPEM’s strategies in Jamaica).
  • Number of people trained in resilient building techniques (e.g., “delivered practical training… to local contractors and government staff”).
  • Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships formed for disaster resilience (e.g., CRRBF).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: borgenproject.org