20 One of the greatest challenges of Recovery management after a hurricane is the challenge of replacing what has been totally lost or otherwise destroyed. W e continue to reiterate our opinion that the public sector is pivotal in any crisis, emergency, or disaster situation that happens in a CARICAD member state. Tropical storms and hurricanes are persistent and perennial hazards in the Caribbean. The devasting events of the 2017 hurricane season illustrate the importance of the entire public sector being well prepared for such events. The CARICAD Secretariat had for many years made the case that effective Disaster Management in the Region was heavily dependent on a public sector that was prepared to play a critical leadership and management role in all phases of the disaster cycle. The effects of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 made the point forcibly for yet another time. The ongoing volcanic events in St. Vincent and the Grenadines provide another reminder. The public sector includes statutory organisations, executive agencies and government companies. In those cases, the level of independence of the organisations will be greater than in a hierarchical line Ministry reporting relationship. However, the government still maintains administrative control. In the smallest of the member states the public sector may well be the most prominent provider of health, education, emergency shelter, welfare, security, utility, environmental protection and communication services. The level of readiness and response and recovery capacity of the public sector may determine the overall effectiveness of the Recovery effort. The transition to Recovery means an affected state would have gone through much of the trauma and challenge of the Response Phase and would then be moving to “return to normal” as far as possible. The commitment to returning to normal carries with it the understanding that the public sector will also be attempting to return to normal. “Normal” in a post-hurricane situation will be more aspirational than actual for many months. Public sector managers should recognise that despite the dramatic negative effects of disasters that there is a potential for the positive. Disasters create an opportunity not only to rebuild and replace but to change and improve (Transform). This suggests that there will be a need for clarity of vision, knowledge, skills and a commitment to consistent determined action to make the changes that will lead to greater resilience and sustainability. The ‘R” Framework for Recovery that we provide here is intended to help public sector managers establish clear priorities for post-hurricane Recovery. Continues on next page
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