The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) has issued a statement urging nationals to take the necessary action to save lives and property for the 2020 hurricane season.
In 2017, Dominica was struck by Hurricane Maria which left a trail of death and destruction in its path.
“The citizenry is asked to reflect on recent experiences with Tropical Systems which tested the resilience of Dominicans…lessons learned from the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika 2015 and Hurricane Maria 2017 should place residents in good stead as we prepare to weather the 2020 Hurricane Season. This preparation is even more urgent with the current management of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a release from the party’s general secretary Nicholas George states.
“Citizens are exhorted to enhance preparation and prevention measures for the survival of themselves, families, and the protection of their properties. This year, preparation, prevention, and recovery efforts may be severely compromised by social distancing concerns; access to local resources, as well as regional and international humanitarian aid and funding.
Overcoming these challenges will require a unique approach to disaster planning and preparedness measures from the state, risk managers, and the population; it is more than stocking up of supplies. Planning will require more space, extra accommodation to protect the public from spreading COVID-19 infection, for the need to safeguard communities will be of utmost necessity.”
According to the UWP release, it has become necessary to address disaster management in a more holistic manner so as to strengthen the country’s resilience to the threats posed to the people and the Dominican environment.
The party release calls for Parliament to meet “urgently” to pass the Draft Environment and Natural Resource Management Bill which the party claims “has been with the Dominican Cabinet for almost eight (8) years.”
“We call on every national to be proactive, innovative, and resourceful within this season as our every endeavor should be to recover from past disasters and building back better.
“As a party which underscores the importance of national unity, the United Workers Party calls on every Dominican to heed every official advisory and prepare adequately in order to survive this Hurricane Season, whereupon we can return to our persistent efforts at institutionalizing the concept of resiliency in the course of becoming the best place to live, work and enjoy life.”