Dominica recovering one year after Hurricane Maria, but thousands still in need

Randel Adams is one of the beneficiaries of receive humanitarian assistance from the IOM. Photo: IOM / Dwight Lugay

Roseau – One year ago, Hurricane Maria reached the island of Dominica with a wind speed of 220 mph (354 kph). The results were devastating: 31 lives were lost and 34 are still missing; roads and bridges were devastated and about 90 percent of the housing stock in the island was damaged or destroyed.

The day after the hurricane hit, 71-year-old Randel Adams found himself on the brink of tears. His roof was entirely gone. The contents of his house were soaked and soiled. He made himself a make-shift home and braced himself to bear rain and inclement weather.

While Adams patched his roof the best he could, thousands of families poured out of the battered island and the government faced the nearly impossible task of restoring damaged property worth millions of dollars, the island’s economy, and people’s lives.

A few days after the hurricane, an IOM team was on the ground distributing tarpaulins, solar lights, hygiene kits and other non-food items, and tracking the status of displaced people in emergency shelters around the island using the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) tool.

Since then, IOM has been working tirelessly in communities across Dominica to assist the most vulnerable through Shelter Recovery programmes funded by UK Aid, the European Union’s humanitarian arm (ECHO), Australia Aid and China AID via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The programme has repaired almost 700 roofs, allowing families to return to their homes and developing their capacity and resilience to disasters.

Adams qualified to receive humanitarian assistance from IOM because he met several vulnerability criteria; he now lives in a safe and secure space.

“This roof is better and stronger. I am happy that the roof is well-fixed, and I am not getting wet. I am now much better prepared when a hurricane is coming,” he said.

The programme is also building resilience by training carpenters and homeowners. To date, over 100 Dominican men and women have been trained in basic carpentry guided by the Dominica Building Standards. In collaboration with the Office of Disaster Management, 83 managers of emergency shelters were trained and certified in camp management practices.

“IOM is teaching residents about the importance of safe building practices and how to stay prepared for the hurricane season. We also engaged communities in the selection of beneficiaries. Through open, transparent and participative processes we are able to reach people who are most in need,” explained Jan-Willem Wegdam, IOM Dominica Team Leader. “As we rebuild, we work together to rebuild better homes, but also better communities and lives for Dominicans.”

Despite the progress achieved, the needs on the island are still enormous. More resources would allow IOM and its partners to accelerate and expand the implementation of shelter recovery programmes. An estimated 5,000 families are still living under tarpaulins, damaged roofs or with friends and families.

“To get my roof back today or tomorrow would be the joy of my life. I would be so happy and comfortable. You know, after living in your proper home for all these years… to get into that devastating situation [is] not a good feeling,” says 64-year-old Camillia Burton, a small shopkeeper and farmer of the Marigot community. Burton currently lives in a small room with her four grandchildren due to structural damages inflicted to her home by Maria.

IOM’s Wegdam also highlighted a need to provide humanitarian services beyond rebuilding: “Maria hit more than only roofs, so we should ideally have a programme where we can spend our money on a much broader range of improvements, including livelihoods or psychosocial support. IOM will continue to work in collaboration with the government and key allies to implement an integrated approach to support communities.”

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10 Comments

  1. Bring back the parrots
    September 25, 2018

    How come the roof rafters in his house have no re-enforce metal straps with the nails? This roof will come off in a hurricane wind. Straps should be used in all re-construction. Is there a building code.

  2. ??????????
    September 24, 2018

    Why all you can do is speak politics? The magnitude of Maria’s destruction is real! The Government cannot do it alone. Instead of being so negative towards the Government, what have you done yourself to help someone? Why do hate the PM so? We have to love one another. He is trying his best – helping elderly whose own children turn their back on (YES we Care Program). What is red Kool Aid? Grow up and look around you. What do you see – I am sure much work has been done.

    Finally be grateful for the outside agencies. Also give thanks for whatever asistance given by the Government etc.

    God is looking at us – We should be grateful and thank him.

    • Paul Rossnof
      September 25, 2018

      Shut up! It’s people like you who are responsible that we still have this corrupt and incompetent government. You and your political friends ought to be thrown into jail for treason to your country! How can you justify to still apologize for Skerrit and the government? What have they achieved in 18 years??? Don’t come back and tell me ALOT. If you believe they have achieved anything, make a list and share your knowledge with us. Otherwise keep out of it with your rotten red rethoric!!!

  3. Ibo France
    September 24, 2018

    Repairs have been done to some of the properties which were severely damaged by Hurricane Maria. This article paints a very rosy picture of the present situation when so many affected citizens are living in dire straits. This is the precise reason why most people distrust government and its officials. This country received millions and millions of outside donations in cash and kind which was inequitably distributed to party hacks. This is surely a “tion” government: intimidation, victimization, marginalization, corruption, discrimination, friction and fiction.

  4. tracy daniel
    September 24, 2018

    thousands still need help? or thousands not getting help cause party politics dictating who gets help and who dosent?

    • ????????????
      September 24, 2018

      That is not true! Have you been around the country? You need to go on an island trip! Only then will you be able to speak constructively.

      • Neville
        September 27, 2018

        Of course it is. Stop apologising for this corrupt and incompetent government and its PM.

  5. Laplaine Observer
    September 24, 2018

    Outside agencies and organizations have done more for Dominica than the current administration. This myth that most of the population is back to normal is contrary to what we see on the ground . But Skeritt will continue to deceive his RED CLINIC receipients because they have drank the Kool Aid.

    • KID ON THE BLOCK
      September 24, 2018

      Laplaine Observer, now ask yourself what have you done for Dominica… Traitor!.

      • Paul Rossnof
        September 25, 2018

        …and now ask yourself what YOU have done for your country??? I mean apart from constantly apologizing for a corrupt and incompetent PM. Come on, let’s have it! You foolish individual.

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