A UN-appointed human rights expert on Friday urged the international community to increase assistance to The Bahamas and other small island States that face elevated threats from natural disasters resulting from climate change.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country.
Financial aid challenges
Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid.
“The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
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Mr. Waris called upon both The Bahamas and the global community to adopt an alternative comparative indicator instead of relying solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.
This recommendation stems from recognizing that the nation faces distinctive challenges, such as a high cost of living and an ongoing vulnerability to catastrophic climate-related disasters, which demand a greater allocation of resources than many other states.
Tourism and disaster costs
She highlighted The Bahamas’ strong reliance on tourism as a cornerstone of its economy.
Over the last decade, the nation has endured five major hurricanes, with Hurricane Dorian in 2019 being the most recent. This devastating event resulted in a staggering $3.4 billion in damages, equating to almost a quarter of the country’s GDP.
“The impact of Hurricane Dorian, COVID-19 and the decline in tourism was devastating for both the population and the country’s economy,” the expert said.
“The country is still repaying the debt incurred for reconstruction and will continue to do so for many years to come.”
Economic diversity needed
She encouraged the Government to prioritize comprehensive, long-term economic planning that takes into account the impacts of climate change.
Additionally, she suggested exploring options to reduce the country’s heavy reliance on tourism, enhance food security, and harness local innovation as means to diversify the economy.
These suggestions will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2024.
“The collective responsibility of the international community towards climate change and its consequences should not be forgotten,” Ms. Waris said.
UN independent experts are appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor specific country situations or thematic issues.
They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
Simon Blake is an experienced journalist deeply interested in international affairs and global development. Having spent years reporting on humanitarian issues, he offers a unique perspective in his coverage of United Nations news.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country.Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said.
“The Bahamas really needs global help right now because of the climate mess. It’s crucial that the international community steps up to assist small island States like The Bahamas in addressing the threats posed by climate change,” commented James Smith, an environmental policy advocate.
Does the international community have any specific plans in place to increase assistance to The Bahamas and other small island States to address the elevated threats from climate change?
Yes, the international community should definitely implement specific plans to increase assistance to The Bahamas and other small island States facing threats from climate change. It is crucial for global solidarity in addressing the challenges they are experiencing.
“The Bahamas needs long-term financial planning to address its climate vulnerability and economic dependence on tourism,” said Attiya Waris, the UN Independent Expert on foreign debt, international financial obligations and human rights, in a statement at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Financial aid challenges Ms. Waris noted that The Bahamas’ status as a high-income country hinders its ability to secure loans from international financial institutions and access development aid. “The reality is that they should be supported by the international community, including international financial institutions and development banks,” she said. Mr. Waris called upon both The Bahamas and the global community to adopt an alternative comparative indicator instead of relying solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. This recommendation stems from recognizing that the nation faces distinctive challenges, such as a high cost of living and an ongoing vulnerability to catastrophes.
Does the international community truly understand the urgency and extent of assistance needed by The Bahamas and other small island States in addressing the impacts of climate change?
Thank you for shedding light on this critical issue, Ms. Waris. It is imperative that the international community recognizes the urgency and extent of assistance required by The Bahamas and other small island States in combating the impacts of climate change. Your advocacy for long-term financial planning and increased support from international institutions is essential for the resilience and sustainability of these vulnerable nations.
Does the international community have any specific plans outlined to increase assistance to The Bahamas and other small island States, as suggested by Ms. Waris?
Yes, the international community needs to ramp up support for The Bahamas and other small island States to tackle the urgent climate crisis. Ms. Waris’s call for assistance highlights the critical need for long-term financial planning and international aid to address the vulnerabilities these nations face due to climate change.