Turks and Caicos Islands

the tourism sector as well, since tourists may not be familiar with the hazards in their destination and will
thus require direction from their hosts.
Priority #4 of the HFA demands the synthesis of the previous three priorities: governance, education and
awareness, and appropriate technologies. “To develop and implement effective plans aimed at saving lives,
protecting the environment and protecting property threatened by disaster, all relevant stakeholders must
be engaged: multi-stakeholder dialogue is key to successful emergency response” (UNEP, 2007). Not only is
this dialogue encouraged here; Goal 8 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) also advocates for
participation and open communication. As climate change threatens the successful achievement of the HFA
and the MDGs, simultaneous dialogue about development and risk management will ensure continued
resilience in communities and countries across the Caribbean.
The final priority of the Hyogo Framework, Priority #5, is geared toward a more proactive plan of action,
rather than the reactive disaster management that has failed to save lives on many occasions in the past. It
is now commonplace to have this same proactive approach to disaster management. However, finding
ways to implement and execute these plans has proven more difficult (Clinton, 2006). As you will note,
managing disaster risks requires a cross-sectoral understanding of the interdependent pressures that
create vulnerability, as well as demanding cooperation of various sectors.
4.7.2. Natural Hazards in the Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos Islands
There are three broad categories of hazards, and the countries in the Caribbean Basin could face all, or
most, of them at any given time.
Table 4.7.1: Types of hazards in the Caribbean Basin
Hydro-meteorological Hurricane
Tropical Storm
Flooding
Drought
Storm Surge
Landslide/mud-flow
Geological Earthquake
Volcano
Tsunami
Biological Epidemic
Wildfire/Bushfire
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are low-lying, limestone islands with a flat topography characterised by
sinkholes, springs and caves. The highest point in the island chain reaches 48 m above sea level. While TCI is
located in the Atlantic Hurricane Belt, the chain of islands has been fortunate to have been significantly
impacted by fewer than 20 storms since 1492 (Trotz, et al., 2004).
A Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment conducted in 2008 showed that hurricanes typically follow 3 paths
when they cross over TCI (ECLAC, 2008). Those paths and the vulnerability variation across the islands are
shown in Figure 4.7.1.
89