“There is no substitute for preparation. This is true for disaster management as for many other aspects of life. As we approach this year’s hurricane season, we should not assume that what didn’t happen last year won’t happen this year. We should remind ourselves that TCI had a very close call last year when Hurricane Matthew diverted at the last minute and reaped such havoc and destruction resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives in Haiti.
Led by the hard-working DDME team, TCI is already actively engaged in preparation for the forthcoming hurricane season – and not only for hurricanes, but for other possible disasters such as flooding.
I am determined to play my part in the collective task of mitigating the risks so as to make ourselves – as an Islands-wide community – as ready for all contingencies as possible. I know too that this is the shared objective of the Premier and of other Ministers and of other relevant agencies both public and private.
But this isn’t only a question of preparation by DDME or Government more widely, it is also a task for us all as individuals and as family members. We all have a part to play.”
