The Human Loss In Barbuda's Tragedy

Hurricane Irmasection made landfall on the island of Barbuda in September 2017, causing widespread destruction and devastation. The Category 5 hurricane brought winds of up to 185 miles per hour, resulting in the deaths of at least one person, a two-year-old child, and leaving the island in ruins.section With 95% of its structures damaged, the island was deemed uninhabitable, and its entire population of around 1,800 people was evacuated to the neighbouring island of Antigua. The recovery and rebuilding efforts in Barbuda have been challenging, with the future of the island's habitation uncertain.

Hurricane Irma's impact on Barbuda

Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the island of Barbuda when it made landfall in September 2017. The Category 5 hurricane brought winds of up to 185 miles per hour, causing widespread destruction and devastation.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was catastrophic. The storm destroyed 90-95% of the island's buildings, leaving most of the population homeless. The island's only hospital, schools, and airport were also left in ruins, with officials estimating that it would cost more than $100 million to rebuild the island's homes and infrastructure. The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, described Barbuda as "literally rubble".

During the storm, a two-year-old boy died as his family attempted to escape their devastated home. His mother, Stevet Jeremiah, recounted the terrifying experience, saying, "There was so much water beating past us. We had to crawl to get to safety... I have never seen anything like this in my life, in all the years I experienced hurricanes."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the entire population of Barbuda, approximately 1,600-1,800 people, was evacuated to the nearby island of Antigua. This marked the first time in 300 years that no one was living on Barbuda. The evacuation was ordered by the prime minister due to the potential threat of Hurricane Jose, which fortunately passed without causing significant damage. However, the government warned that stagnant water and vermin issues made it unsafe for residents to return to Barbuda immediately.

The slow recovery and rebuilding process in Barbuda have been challenging. Two months after the hurricane, only a small fraction of the population had returned, and basic services such as electricity were yet to be restored. The complicated land tenure system and lack of insurance or homeownership among residents further complicated the recovery efforts.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was not just physical but also emotional and psychological. The island was described as a ghost town, with empty streets and abandoned houses. Locals questioned if people would ever return and if the island could recover from the disaster. The future of Barbuda remained uncertain, with estimates for a return to normalcy ranging from one to three years.

The death of a 2-year-old boy

A 2-year-old boy died in Barbuda after being pulled from his mother's arms by Hurricane Irma's 185mph winds. The devastating storm left the island in ruins, with an estimated 90% of properties damaged and thousands of residents displaced.

The boy's mother, Stevet Jeremiah, recounted the terrifying experience of trying to escape their devastated home, with "so much water beating past us." She described how they had to crawl to reach safety, and how she had never witnessed such a formidable hurricane in all her years of experiencing them.

Jeremiah's harrowing account sheds light on the sheer power of Hurricane Irma, which battered the small island of Barbuda, uprooting trees, destroying buildings, and tragically claiming the life of a young child.

Eli Fuller, one of the first people to visit Barbuda after the storm, recalled the heart-wrenching moment when he spoke to an injured woman who had lost her child to the relentless hurricane. He described how the woman's roof had blown off during the savage storm, and how she had tried to hold on to her child as the walls caved in, but the ferocious winds proved too strong.

The death of the 2-year-old boy highlights the human toll of natural disasters and the unimaginable pain and loss endured by those who survive. It serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of extreme weather events on vulnerable communities.

The boy's death also underscores the importance of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to minimize the loss of life and support those affected in the aftermath of such catastrophic events.

Barbuda's population evacuated to Antigua

On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean island of Barbuda, causing widespread destruction. The storm's 185mph winds left a trail of devastation in its wake, with an estimated 90-95% of properties damaged and 60% of residents left homeless. Tragically, a two-year-old boy lost his life during the hurricane as his family tried to escape their devastated home.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Barbudan government ordered the evacuation of the entire population—approximately 1,400 to 1,800 people—to the neighbouring island of Antigua, located about 30 miles away. Antigua, which suffered only minor damage from the storm, became a refuge for the Barbudans. The mass evacuation was prompted not only by the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma but also by the looming threat of another hurricane, Hurricane Jose, which was expected to hit the area soon after.

The impact of the hurricanes on Barbuda's infrastructure was catastrophic. The power grid, phone lines, and water treatment plant were all devastated, leaving the island without basic services. The destruction extended to schools, churches, and residential areas, with very few buildings left untouched. The streets of Barbuda were left eerily empty, with animals outnumbering humans. The Barbudan government warned that the stagnant water and vermin issues posed health risks, making it unsafe for residents to return immediately.

During the evacuation, Barbudans found shelter in various places across Antigua. Many were accommodated in private homes, with about 70% of the displaced population finding refuge with Antiguans. Others took shelter in makeshift camps, such as the one set up at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium, where up to 152 people were housed. The stadium staff and volunteers provided essential support, organising the distribution of donated clothes, supplies, and food for the evacuees.

The evacuation and displacement of the Barbudan population presented unique challenges, especially for women and girls of childbearing age. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other organisations recognised the urgent need for sexual and reproductive health services for this vulnerable group. They distributed "dignity kits," containing basic health and hygiene products like soap, sanitary napkins, and underwear, to ensure the health and dignity of these women and girls in the aftermath of the disaster.

While the evacuation undoubtedly saved lives, it also presented challenges for the Barbudan community. The slow recovery and rebuilding process, coupled with the prolonged absence from their homes, made it difficult for many to return. Some Barbudans chose to remain in Antigua, either staying with friends and family or in shelters, uncertain about their future. Despite the challenges, by February 2019, most of the residents had returned to the island of Barbuda, slowly rebuilding their lives and their beloved island community.

Barbuda's infrastructure and housing

Barbudas Infrastructure and Housing

Hurricane Irma, which battered the island of Barbuda with winds of 185 mph, caused extensive damage to housing and infrastructure. The hurricane destroyed 90% of the nation's structures and vehicles, causing more than $220 million in damage to homes and infrastructure. The storm ripped roofs off many homes and buildings, toppled power poles, and scattered debris across the landscape. Official estimates indicated that 95% of the island's structures were damaged or destroyed, with 45% left uninhabitable and 28% requiring complete replacement.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, all 1,800 residents of the island were immediately evacuated to the neighbouring island of Antigua. The evacuation efforts were challenging, and the slow recovery was partly due to the evacuation, according to some Barbudans. The prolonged absence from the island also led to initially minor property damage worsening.

The rebuilding efforts have been piecemeal, with residents scrounging for materials to patch up roofs. Aid agencies, such as Samaritan's Purse and the Red Cross, have provided equipment, water treatment units, and medical kits to assist in the recovery. However, compared to nearby devastated islands, Barbuda feels almost abandoned in terms of aid presence.

The government has been criticised for its slow response to the disaster. Prime Minister Gaston Browne acknowledged the slow progress, attributing it to a lack of resources and the desire to build more climate-resilient homes. However, some Barbudans accuse the government of using the hurricane to consolidate power over the island, particularly regarding land tenure laws and the construction of a large commercial airport.

The impact of the hurricane has raised questions about the island's infrastructure and preparedness for natural disasters. Basic emergency needs, such as satellite telephones and warning networks, were lacking, and key infrastructure, including disaster response systems, road works, health, and sanitation facilities, remain underdeveloped or in disrepair years after the hurricane.

The recovery and rebuilding process has been challenging, with few residents having house insurance and many renting their homes. The complicated land tenure system and the relationship between Barbudans and Antiguans have also played a role in the slow recovery, with mistrust and resentment impacting the flow of aid and reconstruction efforts.

Humanitarian relief efforts

Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the island of Barbuda, leaving it in ruins and largely uninhabitable. The storm brought 185 mph winds, 15-foot waves, and widespread flooding, resulting in the death of a 2-year-old boy and affecting the entire population of approximately 1,800 people.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, the government ordered a mandatory evacuation, and all residents were ferried to the nearby island of Antigua, where they lived in shelters or with family and friends. The United Nations and other humanitarian organisations sprang into action, providing emergency relief and supporting national relief efforts.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) played a crucial role in coordinating the humanitarian response. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) focused on providing drinking water and sanitation to affected communities, as well as child protection services, including psycho-social support. The World Food Programme (WFP) dispatched an aircraft carrying emergency food supplies and other essential equipment to Haiti. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) sent experts on crisis recovery to support the affected populations in the Caribbean.

Other organisations, such as Save the Children, the Red Cross, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), also played vital roles in the relief efforts. Save the Children deployed relief response teams to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, facilitating relief throughout the region. The Red Cross brought medical kits, enabling the consulting and emergency rooms at the Thomas Hanna hospital to reopen. The UNFPA provided "dignity kits" to women and girls in Barbuda, containing essential items like sanitary napkins, soap, and underwear.

In addition to these efforts, the Barbuda Recovery & Conservation Trust (BRCT) was established as an emergency relief fund to help rebuild the island. All donations to the BRCT go directly towards supporting the people of Barbuda, including humanitarian response, restoration, and community rebuilding. Actor Robert De Niro, who co-owns a resort on the island, also pledged to support the island's rebuilding efforts.

Frequently asked questions