TCI Premier reports on UN Donor’s Conference, says country supports ‘build back better’

#PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands – November 24, 2017 – Building back better is more easily said than done and the Turks and Caicos will require all the help it can get to avoid the pitfall and pressure of building back, badly in haste.

Premier Sharlene Robinson, when addressing the #UnitedNations International Donor’s Conference held in New York earlier this week explained that the Turks and Caicos, as a Small Island Developing State does support the vision of “Building a More Climate-Resilient Community” and candidly shared that this is not easy for the people of the #TCI whose lives have been turned upside down due to the September storms.

“Building back better is expensive, not an easily attainable goal, especially when a high percentage of our population have been adversely impacted with no insurance benefits.”

There have been  harrowing stories about how some insurers have treated policy holders including tedious processes, slow pay outs and moves to muscle in on property owner’s money.

The Premier in presenting at the meeting, where it is reported that some 400 people were in attendance, said the real challenges faced are the reason countries like Turks and Caicos are depending on donors to keep their commitments.

“I urge all partners to honor your pledge to the 2030 Agenda commitment which states “leave no one behind,” and collaborate with us in achieving a proactive, climate-smart, community driven, bottom-up approach to a more sustainable and resilient Turks and Caicos Islands.”  The conference got a synopsis of the TCI’s #CDEMA Damage Assessment and heard from the Finance Minister of how the hurricanes crippled tourism businesses.

“The immediate challenge apart from the provision of the basic human needs of food, water and shelter, were to restore communications – most essential in an archipelago, restore electricity, water, provide support to the hospital and to aid in the safe departure of tourists.”

Another real factor for the Turks and Caicos, the impact on our natural resources, Premier Robinson in a report issued Thursday morning on the New York meeting explained: “Humanitarian Aid Critical assessments have shown that four to five feet of coastal erosion was recorded at the popular #GraceBayBeach. This paints a lucid picture of the adverse effects on our coastal environment, which is hinged on our main bread winner – Tourism.”

When it comes to what was actually donated at the Conference, ‘more than $2 billion has been pledged by nations around world, almost half in loans and debt relief. Surprisingly, only $4.3 million was pledged by the United States of America. Donors included The Netherlands’ $700 million pledge, the European Union’s $352 million, quake-recovering Mexico with $27 million, $1 million in debt forgiveness from politically troubled Venezuela, Canada pledged $78 million, China was $30 million and Haiti, still recovering from its own 2010 earthquake and brushes with two hurricanes, offered $250,000.

Premier #SharleneRobinson shared that she welcomed technical help for the TCI too, ‘experts with strong technical experience in urban and land planning and building code application; particularly, roofing design to assist the Turks and Caicos Islands in our rehabilitation process.