Other challenges—Infrastructural Impacts and Immediate Aftermath

In addition to the above, the participants highlighted several other noteworthy challenges endured by Dominicans in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria. These challenges emerged from their lack of access to electricity and the uneven distribution of disaster relief goods. According to two of the respondents, they had to remain without electricity for approximately eleven (11) months as they did not have the funds necessary to fix the compromised electrical system. Consequently, some of them relied on generators, which were quite costly to maintain and thereby caused even greater financial strain. The lack of electricity also caused food storage issues according to one respondent.

Concerning the distribution of disaster relief goods, some respondents reported that it was initially challenging to source food and tarpaulin, and then later to source financial support and building materials. They acknowledged that while the people of Dominica did indeed receive a lot of support either from the government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the distribution of these items was, to a considerable extent, inequitable and unfair. Speaking on this issue, the respondents stated that many persons did not get the help needed and that the distribution of help was not equitable. Sourcing supplies for babies and food for the elderly were also a challenge. According to one respondent who had two babies in the house, it was especially difficult to source Pampers and milk after Hurricane Maria. Similarly, sourcing food items for the elderly was difficult. Given that the elderly do not like eating the dry foods that are given in relief packages, other types of food had to be sourced. As such, one respondent noted that she had to find ways to source "hard food" (ground provisions) for her elderly stepfather, which was initially a challenge as the path to go to the gardens was destroyed by the hurricane.

#### 6.2.2. Issues and Challenges Experienced Four Years Later

As of the year 2021, Dominicans are still experiencing remnants of psychological trauma. This was evident in the interviewees' account of how the rain, wind and news of impending weather systems were still affecting them to this day. According to some of the women, on days or nights when it is rainy or windy, they tended to experience feelings of anxiety. Another participant reported that whereas her mother has difficulty sleeping when it rained heavily at night, she herself cannot sleep when she is informed of impending weather systems. In addition to feeling anxious about the weather, one respondent acknowledged that she avoids hearing others' accounts of their experience with Hurricane Maria to avoid reliving her trauma. Moreover, in recounting how she felt recently when there was another hurricane scare, one of the interviewees indicated that she felt angry and expressed doubts about her future in Dominica.

#### Social

Despite it being four years since Hurricane Maria compromised the country's phone, internet, and television services, persons residing in various communities across the nation were still encountering difficulties accessing these services. Accordingly, staying connected with friends and family members remains a challenge for some in Dominica. Consistent with one of the respondents, many of them now must rely on expensive and limited data plans to gain internet access, which thereby forces them to limit their social interactions due to a lack of funds. Additionally, she noted that, unlike pre-Hurricane Maria days, they are now unable to host social events, such as birthday parties and home barbecues, due to financial constraints imposed by Hurricane Maria, which are further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

#### Economic

Economically, women are still experiencing a myriad of challenges ranging from the excessive cost of living and meeting basic daily expenses to addressing personal health challenges and supporting dependents such as children and sick, elderly parents. Speaking specifically on the issue of the cost of living, one respondent noted that the rate of inflation has decreased her purchasing power and is making it impossible to save and prepare for future disasters. Another respondent, whose home was demolished, explained that because of having to start over, that is, paying rent, purchasing clothing and food for herself and her children, she is so financially drained that despite experiencing a physical illness that commenced after Maria, she has thus far been unable to seek medical care for it.

Moreover, two of the respondents highlighted the struggles they undergo daily trying to survive on their reduced income. According to one respondent, she is living on 40% of the income she was generating pre-Hurricane Maria. As such, she is so financially strained that she has been unable to sustain her practice of depositing money in her children's accounts for emergencies since Hurricane Maria and is often unable to meet her personal needs as she must prioritize the needs of her children. In addition, another respondent voiced her current struggles with meeting her daily expenses, noting that her recent transfer from a pensionable position to a non-pensionable position had made it difficult for her to support her son and his college education, pay off her loan, care for her elderly parents and pursue further professional development. Increased insurance premiums and the closure of international borders which restrict the exportation of products were also noted to be contributing to their current economic strain.

Women head 39% of households in Dominica. When Hurricane Maria hit, many women, especially the older heads of households, did not have home insurance as they were living in family homes built by their parents. These older heads of households shared that they were unable to move out of shelters because they had no access to housing materials. Their main concern was sourcing finances to rebuild (PDNA 2017).
