Perhaps injury and damage to small populations living on idyllic islands famous more for their traditionally warm climate than raging storms is considered less newsworthy today. Yet because the Virgin Islands usually escape bad weather being located south of the recognized hurricane belt, it seems odd that news of the latest devastation caused by hurricane Tomas has not been more widely reported in the UK press.
The Caribbean Hurricane Network website indicates that banana crops have been devastated, buildings damaged and ships run aground. The road infrastructure has been severely compromised with trees, telephone lines and electric pylons blown down across all major routes, making travel slow and hazardous.
Rescue services are being delayed due to the collateral damage amid growing concerns for the safety of those living outside the more populated areas.
The Composition of the Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands comprise a British overseas territory, situated in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The archipelago that makes up the Virgin Islands includes both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. The total land mass of the islands is about 346 sq.km. While the entire population of the Islands is about 109,750 people with a majority distributed among the U.S. Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands
In 1672 the British captured Tortola from the Dutch and in 1680 added the islands of Anegada and Virgin Gorda as prizes. In general, administration of the islands fell under the management of the British Leeward Islands or alternatively with St. Kitts and Nevis which accommodated a British government representative.
In 1960 a separate colony status was gained by the islands and in 1967, the Islands were granted complete autonomy. Additionally, during the 1960’s the islands changed from an agriculture-based economy to one that focused on tourism. This change successfully increased the wealth of this tropical paradise making it one of the wealthiest locations in the Caribbean. As reported in the CIA Factbook, the number of tourists to the islands in 2008 was approximately 2.4 million.
The British Virgin Islands today comprise the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, together with about fifty other smaller islands and reefs. About fifteen islands are populated with a total population of around 22,000 with about 18,000 living on Tortola.
British Overseas Territory/British Dependent Territory
Until 2002 the islands were referred to as British Overseas Territories, but a change of this title in that year replaced this with, British Dependent Territory.
British Dependent Territories fall under the jurisdiction of the UK and as such, receive support from the UK. The historical association with the UK is also reason for a small annual migration of people to the UK from the Islands.
Newsworthy Reporting by UK Media
There has been little reporting by the UK press of the injury and damage caused in the British Virgin Islands by hurricane Tomas, even though both are significant, especially to such a small community.
The hurricane’s arrival at a time when the British government is tackling a very difficult overseas spending review may also affect this country’s ability to offer much in the way of financial support. However none of this is considered sufficiently newsworthy by the UK media which, seems to have ignored the plight of the Islanders at a time when they need it most.
How much UK support is to be provided to the Islanders is a worthwhile issue for the general public to be made aware at this time, because they need to know that the UK is still able to offer support in situations of natural disaster. This is especially true when such a disaster impacts on the lives of any individuals under the UK’s jurisdiction.
As the pictures provided with this article clearly show the British Virgin Islanders are suffering as a consequence of the hurricane’s battering, and its people need help.
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