Tropical Storm Erika - An Opportunity to Learn

On 27th August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika struck the island of Dominica causing major changes to the physical landscape and social make-up of the country. Angry storm waters and huge landslides ravaged homes and property and caused severe devastation to the country’s infrastructure. Social media was rife with images of the destruction and this evoked a spontaneous and overwhelming response from the international community. This display of solidarity and brotherly love has been truly touching and there are many lessons to be learned from the experience, but what have we learned?

Dominicans must be thankful for the outpouring of generosity which has come from friendly countries and caring organizations all over the world. Assistance in the form of technical teams, machinery and equipment, medical supplies, food, water and clothing poured into the country from regional and international partners, humanitarian groups and diaspora organizations among others. Their generosity comes not necessarily out of their abundance, but out of their recognition of our plight and their understanding of our dire need at this time. The response has been most humbling and it is hoped that we will have learned the value of generosity and the importance of being thankful, but have we learned?

Dominican society has certainly undergone a major transformation. An entire community had to be evacuated. Many people/families took temporary refuge in the homes of relatives and friends. Those who were less fortunate were placed in shelters, bringing them all to the same level regardless of their previous wealth or social status.This is one of the things that disaster causes; it creates equality between the rich and the poor. It also causes formation of new relationships and sometimes severing of some very important ones. Above all, it forces society to change. We who have gone through the experience must have changed in subtle or manifest ways. Whatever the case, we should have emerged from the experience with a new sense of humility, but have we learned?

Some people lost all their worldly possessions; sympathy goes out to them. But even worse, some people lost loved ones – fathers, husbands, mother, wives, sons and daughters. It was a devastating experience from which Dominicans have emerged with varying degrees of suffering. For those who were more severely affected, the scars from the psychological trauma of the experience will probably never be erased. Those of us who did not suffer as much must show empathy towards our brothers and sisters who must endure this lifelong pain. We should treat them with love and understanding for it could have been us in their shoes and while we did not walk the exact path they walked, we are still part of their experience. A very valuable lesson is to be learned, but have we learned?

Rebuilding efforts have been ongoing from the very day of the storm. Dominicans with the assistance of technical teams and work crews from friendly countries have put their hands to the plough and in a short time much has been accomplished, particularly in terms of restoring communication and water systems. Much volunteer activity has been going on especially in the places where homes and community buildings such as schools and churches were flooded and left filled with mud and debris. There has been a remarkable show of unity and patriotism arising, it would seem, out of a transcendence of partisanship and other negatives that divide a people. The 2015 Independence theme ‘Rebuilding Dominica Together’ reflects this call for unity and patriotism above everything else. It brings out a vital lesson to all; but have we all learned?

Providing for displaced storm victims, primarily those who were housed in shelters, has been an important priority for the Government and other benefactors. Consequently, victims, despite their discomfort, have been well provided for. Within just about one month, most have been moved from shelters to more comfortable accommodations around the city. For many this change from rural to urban life must be overwhelming. Nonetheless, there must be gratitude when one thinks of the thousands of disaster victims in different parts of the world who have had to endure months if not years under tents, deprived of the basic comforts of life. We should never lose sight of our blessings for they should have taught us gratitude for the mercies of the Almighty, but have we learned?

Some people think that Tropical Storm Erika was God raining his anger down on us. But why would God be angry with us? What have we done? When we look at Biblical stories about the wrath of God, we should probably truly pause and contemplate on present day society and ask ourselves whether we, in Dominica, have been headed in the right direction. At any rate, this recent storm experience should have caused us to reflect and to initiate changes in our attitudes and behaviors, but have we learned?

Whether simply nature turned angry or God administering punishment, Tropical Storm Erika dealt Dominica a severe blow and out of it should come positive changes to make Dominicans a better people and Dominica, a stronger nation. It was an opportunity to learn, but have we learned?