As with every hurricane season, many persons will be required to move away from their usual place of abode in search of a safe haven to ride out a storm.
However, it is projected that for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season the number of persons needing shelter will be reduced drastically.
Chairman of the National Emergency Planning Organization Shelter Sub Committee Glenroy Toussaint attributes three key reasons for this decrease.
“The need for shelter in Dominica slowly continues to decrease given three factors. One such factor is the increase in construction of up to standard dwelling houses resulting in more persons sheltering at their homes. Secondly, the neighborhood approach that we developed following Hurricane Maria where residents with substantial dwelling houses would take in neighbors during a storm or hurricane. That is a good approach that has worked for us since Hurricane Maria.
“Also we have the construction of a number of government apartment buildings throughout the communities and that has really boosted our shelter capacity. So, clearly we are seeing more and more a decrease in the need for hurricane shelters in Dominica,” Mr. Toussaint explained.
However, based on a need assessment conducted recently, there is still a need for shelters in several communities.
“We needed that sort of information so as to determine the number of shelters. One of the things that we did was to do an assessment island-wide as to the number of persons who would require shelter for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season.
“Obviously, there are persons who are going to require shelter as we approach the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season. We came up with a figure of 4000 individuals. This does not include those who will be going to their neighbors. These are people who will actually be going to the shelters.
“So we have proposed 140 emergency shelters for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season. That notwithstanding, we have to simultaneously deal with COVID-19 and the Atlantic Hurricane Season. So in some communities, for example, there may be a need for us to find alternative arrangements because of the number of persons based on our survey who require shelter. So we are looking at two options. We are looking at the neighborhood approach and we are also identifying a number of other facilities in the communities that can be used,” he further explained.
He continued, “ So, we looking at areas like Marigot, Wesley, Woodfordhill, Kalinago Territory, Roseau Central, Tarish Pit, and Gutter areas. We are looking at all of those areas and we have made certain arrangements. For example, in the Tarish Pit and Gutter areas, we have made arrangements to move some of the people to Goodwill Primary School, where there is sufficient space that can accommodate some of the people.
“In Kalinago Territory we are looking at other options. There is a school that we have identified and we have to do an assessment and see how best we can accommodate as many people as possible. That is only because of COVID -19. For example, if you were to take in 100 persons under normal circumstances in any given shelter, with COVID-19, you can just take 50 people in that shelter. So then that is the challenge that has been brought to the fore as far as shelter management is concerned.
“So these are the options that we are looking at, the neighborhood approach and the possibility of using suitable buildings within the community and that is working well. We are working very closely with the Disaster Management Committee in those communities and of course the local authorities to see how we can collectively get an approach which can enhance our shelter capacity.”
Meanwhile, those making use of the shelters must adhere to the strict guidelines and protocols and will be required to provide some of their own supplies.
“We have also looked at guidelines. So gone are the days when people would simply come with their bottle of water, their medication and stuff like that. You have to come additionally with COVID-19 specific supplies and items. Here we are talking about things like masks because it is going to be mandatory for people to wear mask at the shelter.
“Entering the shelter, you must have your mask and your hand sanitizer and things of that nature. There are persons who may really not be able to afford even to purchase a mask. So we will be making some available. I want to make it clear. It will be made available to the most vulnerable persons and not for the entire population.
“We know that there are vulnerable people among us and they may not have, so we will be providing for them. But we want to encourage our people to have their own supplies. We are going to be strict on the adherence of the protocols,” he emphasized.
In keeping with COVID -19 protocols, those in the shelters who exhibit symptoms will be moved away from the rest of the population.
“We are looking at an isolation area for health risk so we have to map out isolation areas in the shelters. If anyone shows symptoms of COVID-19 we have to isolate them and then we will get into contact with the health authorities.
“So we have a team approach, a collective team approach to shelter management. There has to be a linkage between the shelter manager, the community, and those using the shelters. We are calling on those who will make use of the shelters to play their part,” he reasoned.
