Rescue teams are still searching for dozens of missing villagers in rural areas of the Caribbean island of Dominica, days after Tropical Storm Erika caused massive flooding and landslides.
The storm has killed at 31 and 21 including residents of Petite Savanne, three from Bath Estate, three from Coulibistrie, one from Delices and one from Castle Bruce remain missing.
The Hon Lennox Linton Leader of the Opposition in Dominica on Monday was unable to provide a definite figure in regards to the overall damage to the island. He explained that the damage was extensive and thanked the people of the region. Linton who hosted a talk show on Freedom Fm in 2013 said the out pouring of supports has been tremendous. One such show of support was the donation of a number of items from St Kitts as a vessel carrying relief supplies from St. Kitts-Nevis to Dominica arrived in Portsmouth, Dominica at 5:30pm on Sunday MV Miss Abigail arrived in Portsmouth, Dominica at 5:30pm on Sunday and was scheduled to be in Roseau at midday on Monday. Lindon provided a list of needed supplies which include food water and water sanitation tablets.
Dominica was the island worst affected by the storm — which weakened over eastern Cuba on Saturday, losing its title of tropical storm after drenching Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
According to the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, small islands like Dominica are especially vulnerable to rising temperatures, shore erosion and increased storm intensity. Although the Caribbean accounts for just one percent of global CO2 emissions, Gerald Lindo, senior technical researcher for Jamaica’s Ministry of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change, says the Caribbean is disproportionately affected.
Linton explained that Dominica has become a perfect test case for human settlement in regard to climate change.