Turks and Caicos Islands

2. Disaster risk reduction strategies to reduce the effects of climate-related impacts, particularly on
vulnerable households and tourism-related livelihoods;
3. Capacity development for local civil society and governmental institutions so that they can provide
better support to communities, households and individuals in their adaptation efforts; and
4. Advocacy and social mobilisation to address the underlying causes of vulnerability, such as poor
governance, lack of control over resources, or limited access to basic services.
During the consultations, community residents highlighted various strengths and gaps in their ability to
adapt to climate change, and also put forward recommendations to increase their resilience. Many of these
recommendations are inter-related, so that concerted effort on one area should have a positive feedback
effect in other areas.
Short Term Actions
Previously recommended research should be engaged or continued to determine reasons for specific
gaps in community adaptive capacity. Community research highlighted several gaps in financial and social
capital and information, including low financial reserves to allow for recovery following a natural disaster,
low levels of household insurance against climate-related events, and limited involvement in community
affairs or groups; that can otherwise significantly reduce the impacts of hazards on households and the
community in general. Robinson (2007) suggested based on similar findings in his research that future
investigations should seek to examine:
Reasons for a lack of insured homes;
Factors that drive the decision-making process with respect to disaster management;
Preferred media for receiving information about natural hazards; and
Ways to strengthen and improve the functioning of weak community groups/organisations
The International Federation of the Red Cross has a strong history of effective work with community
capacity building and disaster risk reduction activities. The Department for Disaster Management and
Emergencies, by working with the Red Cross or other active civil society organisations, can develop a
culturally appropriate communication plan that will not only communicate the vital information, but be in a
format that individuals will listen to and take note of. Through the use of music or mobile phone
technology, important information can reach a wide range of persons.
These issues should be prioritized as research areas for consultants or tertiary level students to ultimately
build the adaptive capacity and resilience of households and communities, and thereby reduce the amount
of potential damage and loss that will be incurred by future extreme weather events.
Medium Term Actions
Investigate feasibility of establishing emergency and health services departments or units in the Lower
Bight area to serve residents of the Bight and surrounding areas. Residents in the Lower Bight area have
indicated a need for establishing units of emergency and health service providers in the community as they
are currently none, and this significantly limits response time in the event of an emergency (caused by a
natural hazard or otherwise) as well as access of the public to these services to seek assistance as
necessary. Specifically, residents have recommended that the following establish a presence in the area:
Fire Service
Health Services: A clinic or sub-clinic with capacity for delivering emergency care
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