Marlene Murray, PhD

Lecturer in Insurance and Risk Management
Department of Management Studies
University of the West Indies

Caribbean Small Island Developing States have very small and open economies that are highly vulnerable to exogenous shocks. The Caribbean region has recurrent experiences of catastrophic impacts from several hazards including tropical storms and hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and flooding.

The economic frailty is exacerbated by the occurrence of these natural disasters where losses in some cases exceed the country’s annual GDP. Despite sustained efforts and aid in the form of financial and expert resources, the devastation continues with the occurrence of any severe hazard and there is evidence of little progress at risk mitigation. Increased frequency and intensity of Atlantic storms and hurricanes, along with continuing sea level rise which has already affected coastlines and agricultural activity, strengthen the urgency for solutions.

Most of the built environment is situated on or near the coast. Tourism, which is a principal economic activity in most of these countries, is derived from a coastline- based product for which resilience has to be incorporated for continuing viability. The research focuses on the individual, community and institutional factors that contribute to the continuing vulnerability to severe impacts from hurricanes and earthquakes, and options for solutions.