Dear Minister,
I write to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the slow and inadequate rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Beryl’s devastation on July 1, 2024. As a concerned citizen, I have witnessed first-hand the ongoing struggles our people face. While I acknowledge the challenges associated with disaster recovery, the current pace and strategy of the rebuilding efforts are unacceptable and demand immediate attention and improvement.
Areas of concern
- VINLEC, Flow, and Digicel made great efforts. However, the lack of progress in road repairs and housing reconstruction remains our greatest pain area. This delay has prolonged hardship on our people and significantly hindered economic recovery, making the situation more dire.
- While initial efforts are being made to provide EC$600 per household, this is not even a drop in today’s economy. Our small businesses have reported little or no assistance. We must put people before politics and address these concerns expeditiously.
- There is limited communication. your liaison officer and Radio Grenadines who use every opportunity to operate as your PR firm provide limited information regarding the allocation of resources, timelines for completion, and updates on rebuilding initiatives. This lack of transparency has created mistrust and frustration among our people. It underscores the urgent need to build trust through open and honest communication.
Recommendations
To address these issues and expedite the rebuilding efforts, I urge the government to consider the following recommendations:
- Implement a Union Island disaster relief fund to ensure timely support for affected residents and businesses. Establish a dedicated bipartisan task force to assist small businesses in assessing their needs, ensuring a comprehensive approach to the recovery process.
- Develop a publicly accessible platform to provide real-time updates on the progress of rebuilding projects, fund allocation, and timelines. This will foster accountability and build trust with the affected communities.
- Provide a clear plan, including the process for rebuilding homes. Our people should be provided with timelines and critical points as to where we are in the rebuilding of the houses.
- Involve the people — they are the most significant stakeholders, businesses, and non-governmental organisations in rebuilding. Their insights and participation can ensure that efforts align with actual needs.
- You should set clear, measurable goals for rebuilding and hold yourself accountable for meeting deadlines.
Hurricane Beryl was a devastating event, but the ongoing delays and inefficiencies in the rebuilding process have only compounded the suffering of our people. Our seniors are dying in grief. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure a swift, equitable, and transparent recovery effort. By addressing the outlined concerns and implementing the recommendations, we can rebuild a stronger, more resilient Union Island and restore hope to my people who have endured so much.
I appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and look forward to seeing meaningful progress shortly.
Sincerely,
EAHL
A boy from Papaland
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They need to use my expertise and experience with over 25 years of organization skill, integrated management of community service and construction management to name a few.