The plight of the poor

Jul 03, 2024 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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Kaieteur News – Guyana is often seen as a region outside the typical earthquake zone. But Guyana has felt earth tremors on two occasions in the past decade. While Guyana also lies outside of the hurricane belt, it has its own natural disasters, including severe flooding and high winds that damage homes and disrupt lives.

As global weather patterns become more extreme, the possibility of a hurricane striking Guyana’s Atlantic coast cannot be ruled out. It would be quite unwelcome for this to happen but from the way climate change is changing weather patterns, nothing should be ruled out.

When natural disasters occur, it is the poor who suffer the most. They are the most vulnerable, with their homes and livelihoods often destroyed. This vulnerability sets back development, further entrenching poverty.

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Ivan devastated Grenada, leaving it in ruins. But within a few years, the country was rebuilt. This year, those affected by Hurricane Beryl will similarly rebuild. However, while the broader community will move on and move forward, the poor will be left behind, continuing to bear the brunt of the disaster’s lasting impact, as their limited resources and vulnerabilities make recovery an ongoing struggle.

Guyana must learn from the hurricane disasters that have struck our sister Caribbean States. These nations have faced massive destruction, and their recovery efforts highlight the severe impact on the poor. By studying these events, Guyana can better prepare for potential disasters.

Recovery from natural disasters in Guyana is not as resilient as it is in other Caribbean nations, due to several critical factors that impede rapid and comprehensive rebuilding efforts. Firstly, Guyana’s economic infrastructure is less diversified and less robust compared to many of its Caribbean neighbors. This limits its capacity to mobilize resources quickly and effectively in the aftermath of a disaster. The country’s dependence on a narrow range of industries, primarily agriculture and mining, means that any disruption can have a disproportionately large impact on the national economy, making recovery slower and more challenging.

Much of the population lives in low-lying coastal areas prone to flooding, and the existing infrastructure is often inadequate to withstand severe weather events. Unlike some other Caribbean nations that have invested heavily in disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure, Guyana’s infrastructure development has lagged behind. This gap means that when disasters strike, the damage is more extensive, and the recovery process is more prolonged and costly.

It is crucial to recognize that in natural disasters, the poor bear the brunt of the damage. This understanding should drive our policies and disaster preparedness strategies.

When Guyana experienced its worst floods in 2005, 2015, and 2021, it was the poor who suffered the most. Their homes, often the least structurally sound, were the first to be inundated.

The current mosquito infestation and dengue fever outbreak also disproportionately affect the poor. They often live in conditions that facilitate the spread of diseases. The country’s vector control measures do not appear to have been stepped up at all.  But this is because the rich have not been as affected by this infestation as has been the poor. It is only when the interests of the rich are affected that we see hurried action on the part of the government.

The rising cost of living is another issue that hits the poor hardest. Half the year has passed, and the government has yet to implement measures to spend the billions set aside for cost-of-living relief. This delay is scandalous.

The poor need immediate assistance to cope with increasing prices for basic necessities. The government’s slow response exacerbates their suffering. The poor count their pennies; they feel the effects of a few hundred dollars increase in the cost of items. A $200 movement, for example, in the price of a 10kg bag of rice, requires economizing on the part of the poor. This is how they live, paycheck to paycheck.

This is why regardless of Guyana being a high-income country, there needs to be a comprehensive poverty reduction plan is put in place, one that identifies and supports low-income families.

The President of Guyana’s swift assistance to Grenada following Hurricane Beryl’s destructive passage was a commendable act of solidarity. However, it also highlights a need to focus on our own vulnerable populations. While international aid is important, our government must prioritize addressing the issues faced by our own citizens. A robust poverty reduction plan is essential. Such a plan should include immediate relief measures and long-term strategies to lift people out of poverty.

Guyana needs a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness and poverty alleviation. This approach must prioritize the poor, who are the most vulnerable to natural disasters and economic hardships. But don’t hold your breath that this will happen anytime soon, judging from the manner in which the billions set aside for cost of living relief is languishing in the Treasury.

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• earthquake, flooding, natural disasters, Peeping Tom, tremors

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