Barbuda's Recovery From Hurricane Irma: A Resilient Island's Journey

Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda in 2017, causing catastrophic damage to the island. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding, and leaving the island deserted for the first time in 300 years. The recovery process has been challenging, with the island's unique land ownership laws and evacuation mandate slowing down rebuilding efforts. While some residents have returned and businesses have reopened, the island is still largely uninhabitable, and the future of Barbuda hangs in the balance as foreign investors move in.

The impact of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda's landscape and infrastructure

Hurricane Irma hit Barbuda as a Category 5 storm in September 2017, causing catastrophic damage to the island's landscape and infrastructure. The storm's eye passed directly over Barbuda, resulting in powerful winds, storm surges, and flooding. The island, which covers only 62 square miles, was left ruined and largely uninhabitable, with an estimated 90% of properties damaged. The total damages to physical assets in the wake of Hurricane Irma were estimated to be US$136.1 million, with the tourism sector and housing accounting for the majority of the costs.

One of the most devastating effects of Hurricane Irma on Barbuda was the destruction of vegetation and agricultural lands. The majority of the island's vegetation was completely stripped of its leaves, inundated by saltwater, or uprooted. This, in turn, had a significant impact on the local livestock and wildlife, as they lost their sources of food and shelter. The coral reefs that surround the island were also damaged, further affecting the local ecosystem.

The storm also caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Many houses were left uninhabitable, with 45% requiring complete replacement. Essential services such as water and sanitation were also affected, with all water sources on Barbuda contaminated by the storm. The island's small airport was damaged, and the main road, which runs from River in the south to Two Foot Bay in the north, was left in a state of disrepair. The Thomas Hanna hospital was also impacted, with consulting and emergency rooms needing to be reopened with the help of the Red Cross.

In addition to the physical damage, the evacuation of the entire population of approximately 1,600 to 1,800 people also had a significant impact on the island. The prolonged absence of residents led to further destruction of properties, as damaged buildings were left unattended, allowing rain to ruin what was left of them. The evacuation also slowed down the recovery process, as residents were unable to return immediately to begin rebuilding their homes and communities.

The recovery and reconstruction efforts in Barbuda have been challenging and slow. Issues such as a lack of insurance and unclear roles in the rebuilding process have hindered progress. Additionally, there has been tension between the local governing council and the central government in Antigua over the focus of recovery efforts, with concerns that the push for tourist ventures could threaten the local culture, identity, and traditional land relations. Despite these challenges, there has been some progress, with businesses slowly reopening and aid agencies providing support for rebuilding and clean-up efforts.

The Barbudan government's response to the disaster

The government of Antigua and Barbuda requested support from the World Bank Group to undertake a recovery needs assessment, working jointly with the United Nations, European Union, Caribbean Development Bank, and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The assessment found that the total damage to physical assets from Hurricanes Irma and Maria amounted to US$136.1 million, with the tourism and housing sectors most affected. The total losses were approximately US$18.9 million, and the recovery needs were estimated at US$222.2 million.

The Antiguan government has justified the slow recovery by saying that it wants to build more climate-resilient homes, which requires financial resources that Antigua and Barbuda doesn't have. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said:

> "It’s been about six weeks and we’ve not made significant progress. We just don’t have the resources. If we do not raise the necessary resources we’ll be forced to do patchwork, to rebuild existing properties with the same galvanised roofs and so on, and next hurricane we’ll be back to square one."

However, critics have accused the government of using the hurricane to consolidate power in Barbuda, particularly over land. A few days after the hurricane, the prime minister proposed revising the system of communal land ownership to allow Barbudans to buy their title deeds for $1. This has been called "disaster capitalism" by opponents.

The government has also been criticised for allowing U.S. developers to build an airport and luxury resort before many residents had returned to the island. This project has angered islanders and the U.N. has warned that it is a danger to a wetland and other fragile environments. Barbudans have waged largely unsuccessful legal fights against the project.

The role of international aid in the recovery process

Hurricane Irma caused catastrophic damage to the island of Barbuda when it hit in September 2017. The storm's eye passed directly over the island, resulting in wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. The damage was extensive, with an estimated 90% of properties damaged and 45% of houses left uninhabitable. The total damages to physical assets were estimated at US$136.1 million, with the tourism and housing sectors being the most affected.

The recovery process in Barbuda has been challenging and slow. The government of Antigua and Barbuda requested support from the World Bank Group and other international organizations to undertake a recovery needs assessment and assist in the recovery process. The total recovery needs were estimated at US$222.2 million, with urgent needs including repairing or replacing houses and restoring water and sanitation systems.

International aid has played a crucial role in the recovery process. Aid agencies such as Samaritan's Purse and the Red Cross have been active on the island, providing equipment, water treatment units, and medical supplies. The Red Cross's medical kit enabled the consulting and emergency rooms at the Thomas Hanna hospital to reopen. The international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Caribbean Development Bank, has also provided support and funding for the recovery efforts.

However, there have been concerns about the focus of the recovery efforts and the role of international investors. Multinational developers and the central government in Antigua have been criticized for prioritizing tourist ventures over local recovery. There are fears that the development of luxury resorts and a large airport will threaten the local culture, identity, and traditional land relations in Barbuda. The United Nations has warned that these projects pose a danger to wetlands and other fragile environments.

The recovery process in Barbuda is ongoing, and it will take time and continued international support to fully rebuild the island. The role of international aid has been critical in providing immediate relief and assisting in the long-term recovery, but it is important to ensure that the needs and concerns of the local community are addressed to protect their cultural heritage and way of life.

The effects of the hurricane on the island's population and culture

On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit the island of Barbuda, resulting in catastrophic damage. The storm's eye passed directly over the island, causing wall winds, storm surges, and flooding. The effects of the hurricane on the island's population and culture were profound and long-lasting.

Population Displacement

The hurricane caused widespread destruction to properties and infrastructure, with an estimated 90% of buildings damaged and 45% rendered uninhabitable. As a result, the prime minister of Barbuda ordered a mandatory evacuation of all 1,800 residents to Antigua, the larger sister island, just two days after the hurricane. This evacuation was intended to protect the residents from the potential impact of another hurricane, Jose, which fortunately passed without incident. However, the residents of Barbuda were unable to return for several weeks due to health concerns raised by the government. The prolonged displacement had a significant impact on the population, with many opting to remain in Antigua or abroad even after the evacuation order was lifted. The slow recovery and lack of progress in rebuilding efforts further discouraged residents from returning, leading to concerns about the future of the island.

Impact on Culture and Traditions

The hurricane also threatened the cultural heritage and traditions of Barbuda. The unique landscape of the island, including its pristine forests, beaches, and coral reefs, was severely damaged by the storm. The Barbudan culture, which is deeply connected to the land and nature, faced an imminent danger of becoming a memory of the past. The intangible heritage, including traditional artistry, festivities, and religious rituals, was at risk of being lost as the population dispersed and social instability prevailed. The Annual Barbuda Caribana Festival, a celebration of Barbudan culture and traditions, had to be cancelled due to the hurricane's impact.

Land Ownership and Development

The hurricane also brought to light the complex issue of land ownership and development on the island. Before the hurricane, Barbuda had strict laws governing communal land ownership, which was central to the Barbudan identity. However, in the aftermath of the hurricane, there were efforts led by the national government and land developers to dismantle these laws and open up the island to privatisation and large-scale tourism development. This created a tense relationship between Barbuda and Antigua, as the latter sought to mirror its own development strategy in Barbuda, raising concerns about the potential erosion of Barbudan culture and traditional land relations.

In conclusion, the effects of Hurricane Irma on the island of Barbuda extended beyond physical damage to include significant impacts on the population and culture. The displacement of residents, threats to cultural heritage, and contentious land ownership issues all contributed to the challenges faced by the island in the wake of the hurricane.

The challenges of rebuilding and the risk of future natural disasters

Hurricane Irma left the island of Barbuda devastated and almost entirely evacuated. The storm flattened buildings, submerged houses and cars, and left at least 20 people dead. The tiny nation of Antigua and Barbuda, consisting of two islands, suffered a huge blow. While Antigua, the larger and more developed of the two, suffered only minor damage, Barbuda was completely ravaged by the hurricane.

The challenges of rebuilding Barbuda are immense. The island was left in ruins, with an estimated 90% of properties damaged and 45% of houses deemed uninhabitable. The recovery needs for the island are estimated to be US$222.2 million, with US$79.6 million needed just to repair or replace houses. The tourism sector, which accounted for 44% of total damage costs, and the housing sector, which accounted for 37%, have been the most affected.

The rebuilding process has been slow and challenging. The evacuation of the island, while necessary for the safety of the residents, has made the recovery process more difficult. The complex land tenure system and the lack of financial resources have also hindered progress. The government has expressed its intention to build more climate-resilient homes, but this requires financial resources that the country may not have. Additionally, the small population of the island and the complex dynamics between Barbuda and Antigua, including mistrust and resentment, have further complicated the recovery efforts.

The risk of future natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, remains a significant concern for Barbuda. The island is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the overall risks from climate-related impacts are evaluated based on the interaction of climate-related hazards and the vulnerability of communities. The challenges of rebuilding and the risk of future disasters are intertwined, as the lack of resources and slow progress in rebuilding climate-resilient infrastructure increase the vulnerability of the island to future disasters.

To mitigate the risk of future disasters, it is crucial to improve the national disaster risk information framework and emergency communications network. Ensuring that the island has the necessary infrastructure, such as resilient buildings, energy needs, water, and telecommunications, is essential to enhance its ability to withstand and recover from future natural disasters.

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