Preparing for natural disasters

Steve Lyston, Contributor

DISASTERS HAVE been afflicting nations worldwide and, without a doubt, have been creating a serious, negative impact on the national and world economies. As a result, growth and development have been involuntarily sidelined in order for government to maintain a grip on things while attempting to repair the damage - physically and otherwise.

According to the disaster statistics for Jamaica, it costs the country approximately US$1,000 per person affected by the disasters that have hit the nation. While national budgets are read every year, there is not adequate budgeting done for the effects of natural disasters.

While we cannot budget to cover every single area affected by a natural disaster, there are some things that can be done to minimise the cost to the nation through proper management and planning. For example, when we fail to maintain and/or repair roads, trenches, waterways, riverbeds (river training), irrigation systems, and other infrastructure, when a disaster occurs, it triples the cost of damage, destruction and death. Then the nation has to turn to other countries and global lending agencies for loans and repairs.

We should not attempt to patch roads a week before the beginning of a hurricane season. There are roads that have been neglected by both political parties for 30 years and more; then during election season, it is used as a platform to win the election. Then after having won, they again continue to ignore the horrific condition of the roads.

The nation wastes a great deal of money during disasters because of the lack of proper management before the fact. This drains our economy. As it stands, the trend has been to try to address infrastructural damage during the time of actual disaster when the focus at that time should be on the human losses, and how to alleviate the problem. This is not proper management.

Everything within a nation affects its economy. With the nuclear waste, oil leaks and explosions that have taken place in countries far away, Jamaica's fishing industry will be seriously affected, because all waterways are connected. Fishing is a vital part of the tourism sector, the hotel industry and restaurants - large or small. If fishing gets hit, there are at least three other industries that will be affected. Recognising this beforehand gives us the opportunity now to expand our freshwater fish production and the seafood farms in preparation for what lies ahead.

At every level within the nation, we must change our way of thinking and our methods of managing our resources, even the way how we plan for disasters. There has to be a change. Better manage-ment of resources will give us better results.

Recommendations and contingency plans

Store the following: water, water purification tablets and systems, medical supplies, dust and gas masks, vaccines, respiratory equipment, gloves, batteries, flashlights, candles, matches, lighters, and other such relevant items. By so doing, the nation would be even more ready to deal with the demands that occur during disasters. This diminishes the costs that arise during disasters.

Upgrade the food inspection department and food storage and prevention of infestation division to include testing for contamination at a higher level. How safe are our canned goods? Try to get assistance from the United States Agency for International Development, World Health Organisation, and other such agencies to assist us in this area.

During the hurricane season, remove tax from all disaster emergency-related items.

Seek funding to dig more wells and reservoirs and for the protection of our springs. The nation can capitalise on that because there are other nations that have water shortages while Jamaica and other Caribbean nations - Dominica, Guyana, and so on - have the best water in the world. This can boost our economy.

Coordinate with churches and other non-governmental organisations to provide support to deal with the spiritual needs of the people. Oftentimes, there is great focus on providing food and other physical amenities, but no attention is given to the mental and emotional toll that disasters have on individuals and as a result that aspect is neglected.

The disaster preparedness agency needs to set up a disaster fund. Businesses could contribute because all will benefit if this should be put in place.

Statistical information: www.preventionweb.net

Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and author of several books, including 'End Time Finance' and 'The New Millionaire'.