Barbuda's Recovery: A Resilient Island's Journey And Future

The island of Barbuda is a dependency of Antigua, located in the eastern Caribbean. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused widespread destruction, and the entire population was evacuated to Antigua. Since then, the island has been on the road to recovery, welcoming tourists and rebuilding its infrastructure. However, the trauma of the hurricane and subsequent environmental concerns have threatened Barbuda's rural way of life. With its pristine beaches, natural beauty, and peaceful atmosphere, Barbuda remains a sought-after destination for those seeking a relaxing and authentic Caribbean experience.

The impact of Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that hit Barbuda on September 6, 2017, causing catastrophic damage to the island. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding.

The hurricane caused widespread destruction to buildings and infrastructure, with more than 90% of the island's buildings and infrastructure being damaged or destroyed. This included the island's hospital, schools, and both of its hotels. The destruction rendered the island's sole airport inoperative and disrupted water and telecommunication services, further hampering relief efforts.

In addition to the damage to buildings and infrastructure, the hurricane also had a significant impact on the environment. The storm surge and flooding affected the island's natural landscape, including its beaches and coastal areas. The hurricane also impacted the island's wildlife, with concerns raised about the survival of the island's endemic bird species, the Barbuda warbler.

The social impact of the hurricane was also significant. Up to two-thirds of the island's residents were forced to evacuate to nearby Antigua, leaving behind their homes and possessions. The hurricane also resulted in the loss of life, with three storm-related deaths reported on the island.

The total damages caused by Hurricane Irma on Barbuda were estimated to be US$136.1 million, with the productive and social sectors being the most affected. The recovery needs for the island were estimated to be US$222.2 million, including US$79.6 million needed to repair or replace houses, as 45% of the houses on the island were uninhabitable after the hurricane.

Overall, Hurricane Irma had a devastating impact on Barbuda, causing widespread destruction, disrupting lives, and leaving long-lasting effects on the island's economy, environment, and social fabric. The recovery and rebuilding efforts were estimated to cost at least US$100 million, with the government and international aid organizations providing support to help the island recover from the disaster.

The island's wildlife

Barbuda is a wildlife paradise, with a small population and large areas of undeveloped land, making it the perfect habitat for hundreds of species of birds and animals, many of which are now lost or endangered elsewhere in the Caribbean. The island has a once-pristine coastline interspersed with natural salt ponds, and its tropical marine climate means there is little seasonal temperature variation.

The island is home to the nesting sea turtles, whose tracks can be seen in the sand on almost every beach. After a big seasonal rain, you will see land turtles and land crabs marching by the hundreds. Barbudans own horses, and there are lots of pigs, sheep, goats, guinea birds, donkeys, and cattle. All these free-range, semi-feral animals belong to Barbudan farmers and smallholders.

Wild boar also live on Barbuda but are rarely seen except by local hunters. Deer can sometimes be seen running across the road at dawn and dusk, although increased fencing of large areas of land by developers has impacted their habitat. Hunting on Barbuda is only done for food, not sport, and guns and hunting licenses are strictly controlled.

Barbuda is host to several rare and endemic species, including the Barbuda warbler, which is a vulnerable species of bird endemic to Barbuda and is found nowhere else in the world. The Antiguan racer is among the rarest snakes in the world, and the island is also home to the near-threatened West Indian whistling duck and the White-crowned pigeon.

The Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, located in Codrington Lagoon, is one of the primary tourist destinations on Barbuda. Few predators exist here, making this breeding area the most crucial worldwide for these threatened birds.

Barbuda is also one of two islands in the eastern Caribbean, along with Guiana Island, to host the European fallow deer, an important symbol of the island and of the entire country.

Barbuda's tourism industry

The island's tourism industry suffered a setback in 2017 when Hurricane Irma destroyed more than 90% of its buildings and infrastructure. The storm left the island barely habitable, and the entire population was evacuated to Antigua. However, as of 2024, Barbuda is welcoming visitors again, and its tourism industry is recovering.

Barbuda is often described as Antigua's "sister" island, and many visitors take a day trip from Antigua to Barbuda. However, to truly experience Barbuda, it is recommended to stay for a few days in one of the island's guest houses or beachfront rooms. The island has a range of accommodation options, from great-value village guest houses to luxurious beachfront hotels.

Popular attractions for tourists include the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, Princess Diana Beach, and the Caves at Two Foot Bay. Outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkelling, fishing, and caving are also popular. The Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary, located in Codrington Lagoon, is one of the primary tourist destinations on the island. The sanctuary is a crucial breeding area for these threatened birds, as few predators exist there.

Barbuda is also known for its pink and white sandy beaches. The island has miles of natural beaches, often with pink sand, due to the presence of crushed coral and foraminifera. However, the island's rural way of life and natural coastline are under threat from relentless construction work, particularly on the south coast. This development is causing environmental concerns and could damage the coastline forever.

Despite the challenges, Barbuda's tourism industry is an important part of its economy and provides a unique, relaxing experience for visitors seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The island's history

Barbuda, located in the eastern Caribbean, is the less-known half of a twin-island state that, along with Antigua, gained independence from England in 1981. The island was first inhabited by canoe-driving hunter-gatherers around 3,000-4,000 years ago. Subsequently, the island was inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago. The Spanish were the first to attempt colonisation, followed by the French and English, who formed a colony in 1666. In 1685, Barbuda was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington, who were granted the land by King Charles of Great Britain. The Codringtons attempted to create a slave breeding colony on the island, but this never came to fruition. Instead, the island became a hub for fishing and subsistence farming.

In 1834, slavery was abolished in Barbuda, and the Barbudans continued autonomous cultivation on communal property. In 1859, Barbuda was annexed as a dependency of Antigua. The island gained a status of autonomy in 1976, with the Barbuda Local Government Act establishing the Barbuda Council, allowing Barbuda to regulate its public works, finance, and agriculture, among other activities.

In 2017, Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma, which destroyed more than 90% of the island's buildings and infrastructure. The entire population was evacuated to Antigua, and despite most residents returning by February 2019, the island is still in the process of rebuilding.

In recent years, there has been a push for development on the island, threatening the traditional system of communal land ownership. The Barbuda Land Act, which protected communal land rights, was repealed, and the central government has approved several large-scale development projects. This has sparked several lawsuits from Barbudans fighting to preserve their cultural space and way of life.

The island's population

The island of Barbuda is part of a three-island state with Antigua and uninhabited Redonda in the northeastern Caribbean. It is the least-known half of a twin-island state, with the islands of Antigua and Barbuda gaining independence from England in 1981. Barbuda is located around 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua and is a dependency of Antigua.

The island has a population of around 1,500, with sources stating the figure as 1,634 and 1,500. The population is largely descended from West Africa and Africans from the British Isles, with many tracing their lineage back nine generations. Barbudans are well-travelled, with family connections across the world, especially in the UK, USA and Canada. The island's population is concentrated in the only village on the island, Codrington, which has a population of around 1,300 people.

The Barbudan people are an extension of the land, with their identity and way of life being deeply connected to the island. Barbudans have a long history of fishing, hunting, farming and navigating, with these skills being passed down through generations. The Barbudan way of life has remained largely unchanged for over three centuries.

In recent years, the population of the island has been affected by the impact of Hurricane Irma in 2017, which destroyed 90-95% of the island's buildings and infrastructure. The entire population was evacuated to Antigua, with most residents returning to the island by February 2019.

The Barbudan population has also been impacted by the repeal of the Barbuda Land Act, which stripped Barbudans of communal land rights and allowed for major development on the island. This has led to an influx of construction workers and a shift in the makeup of Barbudan society, threatening the delicate ecology and centuries-old methods of living in harmony with the land.

Despite these challenges, the Barbudan people remain resilient and committed to preserving their unique culture and way of life.

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