The time of good cheer has turned out to be a time of sadness for some of our neighbours in the Caribbean Community (Caricom). Fate dealt a cruel blow to many families in the Eastern Caribbean when their loved ones were cruelly swept away in flood waters on Christmas Eve. As the grim picture of the event becomes clearer, it has been reported that more than a dozen lives have been lost, some villages marooned, and thousands are without electricity and water.
The tragedy is especially painful as traditional Christmas celebrations make this the jolliest season of the year for families. But instead of celebrating, Christmas Day was shrouded in darkness for many in St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica after high winds downed power lines.In the aftermath of the tragedy, the usual sympathy messages expressing sadness and promising support were delivered by Caricom leaders and other international organisations.
Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General Jos� Insulza seemed to question the region's climate-change credentials in his statement when he said, "the unseasonable nature of the heavy rains and flooding raises, once again, the impact of climate change in the Caribbean region."
http://www.guardian.co.tt/digital/new-members