The Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the nation after the passage of the Hurricane Beryl. Although the first major hurricane of the 2024 Trans Atlantic Hurricane Season did not affect the nation directly, the sea swells caused by the hurricane damaged several houses.
In his previous address, PM Skerrit had promised to support the households which had been affected by the sea swells. On the other hand, he also reflected on the situation that the people were facing in Grenada, St Vincent Barbados, Jamaica and other island nations affected by the hurricane.
Prime Minister extended best wishes and prayers on behalf of the government and people of Dominica. Skerrit noted that he was thankful for the fact that the hurricane had not affected Dominica.
However, in the same breath, he pledged to support the sister and brother island nations of the Caribbean who had been wrecked by the overactive hurricane. The
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to reflect on the experience that Dominica had with the Hurricane Maria, which struck the island in 2017. He said that he was reminded of the catastrophic scenes of the hurricane as he saw the images coming from the various sister and brother islands.
He recollected that the destruction and the loss of life caused by Hurricane Maria is written into our hearts and souls. PM Roosevelt Skerrit asserted that anyone who had seen the destruction caused by Hurricane Maria could not forget him.
During the preparation for Hurricane Beryl, the people of the country were scared to think they may be affected again. PM Skerrit was thankful that that was not the case however, he acknowledged that as the global climate stands presently, the question was not ‘if’ a storm of that magnitude hits us again, but, when.
He further noted that the geographical location of the country makes them uniquely vulnerable to storms.
The mountainous geography of Dominica makes mudslides more likely in the event of another storm. He said that it also increases the chances of villages being cut off.
The Prime Minister of Dominica noted that they are at the beginning of this hurricane season. The MET office claimed that hurricane Beryl was the earliest storm which developed into category 4 hurricane.
He reflected that increasing number of hurricanes and their ferocity cause significant issues in addition to making life more expensive.
It makes property insurance more expensive along with insurance for goods that travel from all over the world to be sold in Dominica. These goods require insurance while that they are being transported from the . He reflected that the increasing cost of living is a direct consequence of climate crisis.
Reflecting further on the crisis of Climate Change, PM Roosevelt Skerrit said that it is also impacting the price of food. Climate change is causing droughts in some areas and waterlogging crops in other areas, causing shortages of food.