Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 08/2008

Analysing the Impact of Natural Hazards in Small Economies: The Caribbean Case

Martin Heger, Alex Julca, Oliver Paddison

March 2008

United Nations University

Abstract

This paper analyses the impact of natural disasters in the Caribbean. The economic impact of natural disasters in the region has been significant, resulting in widespread destruction of the productive economy. This paper presents the main macroeconomic impact of disasters, e.g., a deteriorating fiscal balance, a collapse of growth and a worsening external balance, as a consequence of damage resulting from the event. By making special reference to the small-island developing state nature of many countries in the region, valuable lessons of the impact of such disasters on the capital stock can be learnt, particularly as the interruption of production of goods and services can be particularly devastating in an environment where few large sectors (agriculture, tourism) dominate the economic landscape.