Prioritising well-being and resilience to ‘build back better’: insights from a Dominican small-scale fishing community

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Abstract

Climate change is increasing the severity of extreme weather events, particularly hurricanes, presenting a significant challenge to Caribbean coastal communities. In the aftermath of a major disaster, government interventions typically prioritise infrastructure, assets, and the economy through rebuilding roads, reviving economic sectors, and providing financial compensation. This is driven by a focus on macro-level quantitative indicators rather than by local, multidimensional subjective and relational factors, closer to lived experiences and livelihoods. Using frameworks outlining social well-being and agency, this paper explores strategies used by a fisheries-dependent community in Dominica to recover from Hurricane Maria in 2017 and pursue well-being. The findings highlight the importance of multidimensional well-being, particularly relational and subjective dimensions, including existing social networks, and personal relationships critical for recovery after Maria. Furthermore, the paper demonstrates how recovery initiatives that concentrate solely on material well-being, such as employment, can undermine agency in the capacity of a community to recover and build resilience.

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APA

Forster, J., Shelton, C., White, C. S., Dupeyron, A., & Mizinova, A. (2022). Prioritising well-being and resilience to ‘build back better’: insights from a Dominican small-scale fishing community. Disasters, 46(S1), S51–S77. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12541

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