Disaster Preparedness Part 1
We in the Caribbean know that we are prone to disaster. Our geological location leaves us no back door to escape the earthquake belts, that runs between our countries and the hurricanes that spring of the African costs. This year we witnessed three disasters hitting Haiti alone, threatening to almost wipe out the entire Haitian population. While the Haitian government plays Russian roulette with the emergency supplies. St. Lucia and St. Vincent were ravaged by tropical storm Tomas and certain politicians tried to get political mileage out of it. Every time a disaster struck, we found ourselves at the mercy of other countries and politicians.
None of us can say with any certainty, that our country will not be hit with a hurricane or some catastrophic disaster in the near future. Years ago our parent taught us the golden rule “Take care of your neighbor cause you’ll never know what tomorrow brings”, but some how politicians always find a way to tell us how much better we are than our neighboring island. Especially when they are looking to get re-elected. Know this my Caribbean people, those famous words “United we stand, divided we fall”, Does not register with politicians.
Today I am calling upon every Caribbean citizen to come together, and let us work for a better future for our countries and our children. I have an idea that each and every one of us can participate in. My idea is to create an emergency fund about 3 to 5 hundred million us dollars in 5 to 7 years. We can do this if we come together and bring this idea to life, we are not only creating a brighter feature for every child in the Caribbean but we will be pulling our countries closer together.
Next week about the same time, I will show you exactly how this is going to work. It is going to be hard work, for you know nothing good comes easy and yes my friends, politicians will have a big role to play but they will have control over this emergency fund. There are enormous benefits for the entire Caribbean if this program comes to life. please put on your thinking caps, for when we meet again next week.
Written by Stephen Fanus
