Dorian rewakens trauma from 2017 hurricanes, Health Ministry asked to tackle issue

Premier Andrew Fahie has asked the Ministry of Health to assist residents who are suffering from post-disaster trauma following Hurricane Dorian last week.

The Premier said a number of persons have not yet mentally recovered from the effects of the September 2017 hurricanes, adding that Dorian has reawoken that trauma.

“One issue that emerged during this event is the fact that many of our citizens continue to suffer from lingering effects of the trauma of experiences of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. For many, the arrival of Dorian caused them to relive some of the horrors and anxiety of what they went through just two short years ago,” the Premier said in the House of Assembly on Monday.

Fahie then stressed the importance of residents having good emotional and mental health.

He said he believes measures must be enacted soon to begin the process of tackling the trauma-related issue.

“I’ve asked the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Development to have his team examine the issue and to offer proposals on how we can help our people to cope with and overcome the effects that experience had on their psyche,” Fahie said.

The Ministry of Health has already begun a number of consultation meetings entitled ‘Well Being Forum’ with residents of the territory.

Two were held on Monday, September 2, with the first at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital. The second meeting was held at the St Georges Anglican Church Parish Hall located on Main Street, Tortola.