Disaster aid? Mapping historical responses to volcanic eruptions from 1800-2000 in the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean: their role in creating vulnerabilities

This paper uses volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean islands of Montserrat and Saint Vincent to explore the role that British colonial rule in the past and near past (1800-2000) has played in response to and recovery from hazardous events, and in turn, the influence that the nature of the hazards has on these responses. It shows that systemic vulnerabilities to natural hazards have been created by inadequate aid responses and longer-term chronic problems and demonstrates that hazard impacts are compounded by them. Vulnerabilities could be reduced by analysing integrated hazard impacts to generate mitigative measures across hazards and identify actions that more closely match timescales of political decision-making. Incorporating local knowledge and experience into risk analysis will enable the most effective use of aid resources, ahead of emergencies. Finally, coupling aid for long-term development with emergency response would improve outcomes and adaptation to longer-term vulnerabilities in immediate rebuilding and short-term recovery.

Automated summary

This paper explores the role of British colonial rule in response to and recovery from volcanic eruptions on the Caribbean islands of Montserrat and Saint Vincent. It shows that inadequate aid responses and chronic problems have created systemic vulnerabilities to natural hazards, and these vulnerabilities compound hazard impacts. The study suggests that analyzing integrated hazard impacts and incorporating local knowledge and experience into risk analysis can help reduce vulnerabilities and generate effective mitigative measures. It also highlights the importance of coupling long-term development aid with emergency response for better outcomes and adaptation to longer-term vulnerabilities.