Taking Ivan’s refugees

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago Government must not rush into any decision to accept hurricane victims of Grenada or any other stricken island as refugees into our country. We learn from Prime Minister Manning that this question will be one of the main issues to be discussed at the emergency summit of Caricom heads to be held today in Port-of-Spain. It is our view that Mr Manning should not give any such undertaking without first airing this issue as a matter for public debate from which he may discern the feeling of the people. Our editorials so far on the ravages of Ivan would have indicated our deep sympathy for the victims of this terrible hurricane. We know also that our people are equally concerned and are prepared to give as generously as they can not only to relieve immediately the suffering of Ivan’s victims but also to help them rebuild their homes and their country. Only the churlish and the insensitively self-centred would disagree with the assistance, financial and otherwise, which Mr Manning has offered to these badly distressed countries.

However, the idea of TT accepting hundreds, most likely thousands, of refugees from these hapless islands is one that must be thoughtfully and publicly considered since we may be importing additional problems for ourselves. Apart from the social dislocation which such an influx would create in our country already wrestling with its own health care, housing and infrastructure problems, there is the impracticality of organising such a measure. For example, how will the refugees be chosen from among the thousands whose homes and livelihood have been destroyed by Ivan’s savagery? What criteria will be used to select them, or will the majority of Grenadians be now granted “refugee status” to migrate to TT? And if most of them happen to be unskilled, how will they occupy themselves during their residence here? Also, if the plan is to provide these unfortunate folk with a temporary home in TT while their own country is being rebuilt, how long will they be staying here?

Because of our relative prosperity, TT has always been considered a kind of “promised land” for West Indian immigrants, so we must also consider whether any of these hurricane refugees will ever be prepared or willing to return to their respective islands when the time comes. The net result of this proposal is that TT may find itself burdened with a sudden, significant and unproductive increase in its population which could only intensify its already serious problems. While we are anxious to relieve the distress inflicted by Ivan on our Caribbean partners, we must be careful in doing so not to import or create additional hardships for ourselves. The fact is that within the Caricom family, TT is the only country fortunate enough to have the resources to assist in a meaningful way those who have suffered from Ivan’s wrath. The burden is heavy but we are willing to do our part.

It seems to us, however, that today’s summit may also want to seek assistance from sources outside the region, most likely from the Commonwealth of which the English-speaking Caribbean states are members. In addition, help may be available from relevant organisations of the European Union. We must also consider the fact that our own country did not escape unscathed from Ivan’s massive turbulence, that parts of Tobago were seriously damaged and the hurricane’s rain created extensive flooding in areas of central Trinidad. It is sad, in fact, that some have been impelled to play politics with this situation, claiming that Caroni’s flood victims should be given the financial aid offered to devastated Grenada. True, the floods of central are a perennial annoyance but can they be compared to the tragic horror inflicted by Ivan?