In Irma Recovery, Caribbean Islands on Unequal Footing
In Irma Recovery, Caribbean Islands on Unequal Footing
Storm devastation is partly a matter of chance. But the islands' kaleidoscope of governing structures will affect how they rebuild.
As Hurricane Irma blew through the Caribbean last week, it passed over a mishmash of full-fledged nations, overseas territories, and quasi-independent jurisdictions that reflect the varied legacies of colonial powers. The storm treated them with a vicious caprice – sparing some and devastating others – that to a large degree will determine where humanitarian and reconstruction needs are most acute.
But a manmade factor will also be at play. The varied histories and forms of government of the region will help determine how individual islands are able to recover and rebuild after the...
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