Returning to normal? ‘Building back better’ in the Dominican education system after Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria

Abstract

Child-centred disaster risk reduction aims to reduce child vulnerability and increase resilience to disasters. The 2015 Comprehensive School Safety Framework (CSSF) sought to decrease hazard risks to education. Between 2015 and 2017, Dominica was struck by Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria, which significantly affected the education system at the local and national scales. Since Maria, a couple of national initiatives (Safer Schools and Smart Schools) have been introduced to increase resilience and meet the CSSF's objectives. This paper assesses progress made through a qualitative analysis of interviews with 29 school leaders, government officials, and disaster risk reduction stakeholders. Implementation of the climate resilience programme in 2018 resulted in nationwide teacher training and production of school disaster plans. Limited successes have improved social resilience, but short-term implementation due to COVID-19 and a lack of a teacher knowledge base have presented challenges to the scheme's long-term sustainability and the implementation of the CSSF's goals.

The lived experiences and perceptions of middle-aged adults in Dominica who have survived severe storms—a qualitative exploration

“…This is reinforced by the historical focus of international development and financial agencies on quantifying post-disaster economic losses ( 6 , 16 ), perhaps due to its relevance for justifying aid requests. Similarly, multiple studies on severe storms in Dominica have concentrated on the effects on other sectors and industries, including education ( 17 ), fishing ( 18 ), and vegetation ( 19 ), rather than focusing on the health implications. Recently, estimated storm-related damages and losses totaled roughly USD 1.3 billion, or 224% of Dominica’s 2016 GDP ( 20 ).…”