By Majella Mark
- A Caribbean country suffers an average of 17% of its annual GDP from storm damage alone
- A $1.8B investment to replace inadequate housing for six Carribean countries after a natural disaster would be required
According to a CARICOM analysis of a 2016 IADB report, six Caribbean countries would require an investment of $1.8 billion to replace inadequate housing due to impoverished building methods that leave devastating results after a natural disaster. Hurricane Beryl has had a devastating impact on Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and other Caribbean islands which has prompted many to think about what the future holds regarding tangible spaces for communities within the African Diaspora.
Why This Matters: Rebuilding after Hurricane Beryl is necessary and a chance for the African diaspora to unite and economically empower the many Small Island Development States (SIDS) such as St. Vincent and Jamaica. The smaller islands of the nation of Grenada have been horrifically reduced to ruins, having lost homes, overall sociological infrastructure, and, for some, their lives. Although it comes at the most inopportune time, it presents a unique opportunity for the African diaspora to unify and invest in rebuilding efforts once the Caribbean nations affected by Beryl are in the rebuilding phase of recovery. On average, a Caribbean country suffers yearly losses of 17% of its GDP from storm damage alone. Dominica lost 253% of its GDP due to Hurricane Maria in 2017. In 2004, Grenada suffered a 200% GDP impact from Hurricane Ivan.
The Black community can be pivotal in creating resilient and prosperous Black nations of the future through strategic investments in sustainable real estate and creative business opportunities. Black real estate companies such as Integrated Capital LLC and CB Emmanuel Realty can help rebuild homes and commercial properties, offering affordable eco-friendly housing solutions, developing resorts only imagined in Afrofuturistic literature, and helping the community thrive with accommodations such as medical clinics and education centers. The diaspora can support long-term development while securing profitable returns through investment.
Situational Awareness:Â Carriacou, known for its rich culture and vibrant community, now requires support. The island’s rebuilding process offers opportunities in various sectors. The global Black community can significantly contribute to these nations’ futures and long-term economic stability by channeling resources into sustainable projects and innovative businesses. The initiative to invest in advancements for these small nations can lead to many in the African diaspora seeing their own futures in the Caribbean. These efforts can ensure that Carriacou becomes more resilient to future hurricanes while participating in the efforts of the global Net Zero initiative. You can connect with people on the ground now through various groups on social media platforms such as Reddit and can financially help through their GoFundMe profiles.
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