A golden opportunity for inclusion

Despite the fears and the ill-advised comments from some quarters, St Vincent and the Grenadines has managed to complete
its hurricane-affected Carnival while continuing with relief efforts in the devastated Grenadine islands as well as on mainland St Vincent.

Those involved in managing in such difficult times must be complimented. Let us also praise the Almighty for sparing us further blows which we could not have handled.

Quite naturally, hurricane Beryl’s devastation of the southern Grenadine islands remains the focus of our attention, notwithstanding destruction on St Vincent which we tend to overlook. While much of the attention is on the physical harm and practical efforts at relief, we must not ignore the social and psychological effects of the hurricane, particularly on children. These are multiplied in the case of the Grenadines because of their location.

At a time when children and students in the rest of our country are concentrating on preparations for the upcoming school term in September, our unfortunate ones from the Grenadine islands are grappling with being resettled after losing their homes and all that goes with such a sad situation. That can hardly put them in the frame of mind to be prepared for a new school term. Who knows how their losses and resettlement adjustments have affected them mentally? That aspect of disaster-affected youths and students is one which we cannot ignore. The Grenadines, and the southern islands in particular, must now get our unreserved attention. It is important that the residents of the islands be very involved in the decision-making efforts in relief, resettlement and rebuilding. This includes involving their political representatives and allowing space for persons involved in the leadership of community and social organizations. We must be rebuilding not just for people but with them as well.

There is also a golden opportunity, already identified, “to build back better and more resilient” on both climate- smart and people-smart bases. The people of the Grenadines have had a long history of discrimination against them starting with colonialism but continuing to the present. While it is true that there have been improvements at a physical level, not enough if we are honest, we have been reluctant to openly discuss this legacy. It has been exacerbated by partisan politics and the limited perspectives of political representatives from the islands over the years.

Should we not now be frank and honest, on all sides, in discussing the situation and in establishing a framework for a more just and equal relationship?