Working Paper Series: Special Edition of 2016 to 2018 Interns

i. Lack of enforcement of building codes and materials specifications. Anecdotal evidence points to the fact that while enactment and enforcement of building codes in the ECCU are critical, the implementation of these codes can be prohibitively expensive. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has stressed the importance of building codes and enforcement of regulations to reduce losses from natural disasters. However, the devastation caused by the 2017 hurricane season to buildings is an unpleasant reminder as to the costs associated with these disasters (see Table 1). Many countries in the Eastern Caribbean have adopted codes, however, the necessary inspection procedures, administrative systems, and enforcement mechanisms have not been established. For instance, in Dominica, a code has been developed and adopted, but to date, there is no legislation to enforce it. As a result, the damage to the social sector 56 accounted for more than 35 per cent of the total damages to buildings (World Bank PDNA, 2017). Further, building codes in the Eastern Caribbean member countries, with the exception of Dominica and Grenada 57 , state that buildings should be able to withstand up to a category 3 hurricane. With the expected increase in the frequency and severity of disasters, these buildings may not be able to withstand a higher category storm. Also, national codes developed in the region over the past decade utilize the framework of the Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CUBiC) 58 , which needs to be updated (it was last updated in 1989) to stipulate that buildings should be built to withstand a category 5 hurricane. In addition, the enforcement of building standards is a national issue and the political will to fully implement building codes and standards needs to be considerably strengthened in every country. It is noteworthy, however, that the benefits associated with better infrastructures are costly. With a high number of uninsured (possibly low 56 Social Sector includes housing, education, health and culture 57 Building codes in Dominica and Grenada states that buildings should be able to withstand a category 5 hurricane 58 The OECS Secretariat, with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme developed standard building codes and guidelines which speak directly to the specific requirement of each OECS country. The codes and guidelines are based on the Caribbean Uniform Building Code (CUBiC) and other regional codes such as the Bahamas Building Code, the draft Jamaica National Building Code and the Turks and Caicos Islands Building Code

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