Lessons from America? Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

When we look at America, especially a place like New York City, we tend to see a place where the constant motto is "It can be done and quickly". We got a vivid reminder of what that 24/7, never sleep, always ready aspect can mean, when we needed help to get into our apartment; within 30 minutes of calling a locksmith had raised himself from his sleep to come to let us in. The cost was less than a night in a hotel, no major crisis arose, and once again we ask ourselves if we can get the same approach in our Caribbean homelands. Barbados saw some of this readiness when a rescue team from Miami rushed to Barbados within hours to help with the problem of the apartment building that collapsed at the weekend.

But we know that this approach in the US does not make them immune from problems on a personal or national level, and not everything moves rapidly. Today is the 2nd anniversary of the landfall of Hurricane Katrina, the US's worst natural disaster; a tragedy from which New Orleans, other parts of Louisana, and America in general is still trying to rebuild physically and emotionally. Here, however, we see also an aspect of the US that will surprise: the progress of recovery seems to have been moving at a snail's pace. Fingers are pointed in many directions and the frustrations of those on the ground are very high and real. Are the various layers of government the problem? There still seems to be an astonishing lack of agreement between agencies about what to do. President Bush stands by statements that money is available, yet it seems not to be flowing. New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, now sees the problems rising before his eyes as a new homeless "camp" is developing in front of City Hall. Homelessness has reportedly doubled since Katrina; rents have gone up by 30%. The problems are many and complex.

Disasters stretch humans and organizations to their limits, and often have a way of accelerating action and policy changes, but they also dash people's hopes and test their faith. As Barbados passes through a short period when a string of disasters have struck the island during the month of August alone--especially two tragic road accidents and last weekend an apartment building collapsing--many will be looking to see how government responds and what changes will be proposed and actually made. People also look to see whether these disasters reflect lack of action on the part of agencies or individuals. Will we see doors closing after the horses have bolted? It's too early to know how people's hopes and faith will be affected, whether they will have to endure frustrations and see slow progress in dealing with the problems. In this important, though limited area, let's see who between the US and Barbados can be the better teacher and learns lessons well.