national infrastructure accounts for 33% and damage to the social sector, for 6%. Taking into account other disasters that have struck the Dominican Republic in the last 12 months, such as the landslides and torrential rains of November 2003 and May 2004, the total damage in that country exceeds US$ 320 million (US$ 125 million in the agricultural sector).” BOX 3 Natural disasters vulnerability factors in the Caribbean (ECLAC ,2005) “The frequency of floods, droughts, hurricanes and storms seems to have risen, possibly because of higher concentrations of greenhouse gases. The region’s cities are extremely vulnerable not only to natural disasters, but also to technological ones (arising from the dangers inherent in high-risk activities). This situation has adverse microeconomic and macroeconomic implications at the local, regional and national levels. The main cause of vulnerability is the pattern of development observed in most of the countries, which is marked by high levels of poverty, socio-economic exclusion and environmental degradation (ECLAC, 2000c). This is compounded by runaway urban expansion, which, in poor sectors, is worsened by the occupation of high-risk land and the use of substandard materials”.
R.Ahmad
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