33 • Continued from previous page • Continued from previous page True resilience must go beyond replacing infrastructure. It must include a mindset that accepts vulnerability while having the competence to respond well to crises and disasters. 8. Create and Sustain Local Capacity for the Management of Postcrisis or Post -disaster Aid Whenever there is disaster in a Caribbean country, a large number of Development Partners and voluntary organisations descend on the affected country. One of the challenges that often arises, is a “sense of take over” by such agencies. A perception arises that local people have been sidelined and the country can do little to save itself. While it true that small countries need help in the aftermath of a disaster it is important that a country does not lose its sense of control, capacity or local leadership. That can only happen if capacity continues to be built among nationals on a consistent and continuous basis. A former commercial, three-story commercial building in Plymouth, with the first story almost now completely hidden by volcanic material and regrowth. 9. Site or Locate Critical Infrastructure Carefully The repeated damage to and losses of critical facilities such as ports, airports, hospitals, clinics, schools and other infrastructure often set back our development efforts sometimes by decades and thus require the reallocation of scare financial resources over and over again. There are many issues associated with the construction of critical infrastructure and as such, recommended principles and practices should be incorporated into policy and law by all countries as a matter of urgency. 10. Create a National Disaster/Contingency Reserve Fund Some Caribbean countries have already established Contingency or Disaster Funds in which the Government sets aside an annual sum of money to be held as a contingency for use in the event of a crisis or disaster. The global geo-political climate that is now emerging in relation to aid, suggests that such funds could become not only pivotal but essential. Such funds should be established with all appropriate and relevant legislation, controls guidelines and procedures. The expertise which has been developed by officials in Montserrat should be harnessed as a regional resource. There should be initiatives for extensive documentation of the Montserrat experience drawing upon such expertise. Franklyn Michael – Permanent Secretary Emergency Department Montserrat 1997
34 Publizr Home