NGO Strategic Planning Conference "Bringing Beijing Back"

1. Caribbean umbrella organisations and national NGOs.

2. Present at the Strategic Planning Conference “Bringing Beijing Back”, convened by CAFRA and WIDE, in Curaçao, October 11-13, 1996.

3. Following a report on the plight of our sisters, brothers and the children of Montserrat.

4. Taking into consideration agreements reached by the governments, regarding women and the environment, in Agenda 21 (1992), at the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) Conference (1994), and the Fourth World Conference on Women (1995).

5. With specific reference to paragraph 247 of the Beijing Platform for Action, which states, inter-alia, that natural disasters displace communities and peoples, especially women and children, adding to the unremunerated work and burden of women and resulting "in negative effects on the health, well-being and quality of life of the population at large, especially girls and women of all ages,”

Express concern at:

6. The manner in which the population of Montserrat is being depleted, from 12,000 to near 6,000 persons - some 3,000 of whom are women;

7. The physical and mental health of women, men and children, whereas the level of silica in the ash emanating from the volcano may cause respiratory diseases and lung cancer and whereas the stress levels after 16 months of living in crisis is taking its toll on women, men and children; despite the fact that health care providers are performing a Herculean task in appalling conditions, it is impossible for pregnant women to receive adequate pre- and post-natal care;

8. The deplorable conditions under which the education of Montserrat’s children is being conducted, and within which teachers have to work, highlighting the lack of appreciation for the value of stability of education for the children’s good health;

9. The conditions in the safe zone, which are inadequate for sustainable family life, forcing three and four families to reside in one house, where the elderly and the very young are housed, in the main, on army cots in schools;

10. The failure of the authorities to provide true and accurate information on the nature of the volcano and the possible devastating impact on human life, which would have enabled the population to make informed decisions about their locations and livelihoods in light of the situation.

We also express our deep concern at the inadequate response of the Governments, professionals and peoples in the region and therefore resolve the following:

1. That CARICOM support a Caribbean women’s fact-finding team to visit Montserrat, comprising gender-sensitive experts, to report to the Ministers with responsibility for Women’s Affairs at their meeting to be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The team should explore urgent measures to reduce the environmental risks, particularly those of women and children, and make recommendations for families affected by the disaster regarding production, separation, and housing.
2. That Caribbean Governments develop a strategic plan as a matter of priority, which they can offer to the people and authorities of Montserrat. Such a plan should provide:
   1. true and accurate information on the short and long term nature of the situation; and
   2. offer secure and proper facilities for those on and off the island, until such time that the island of is safe and habitable to permit sustainable living conditions.
3. That people’s organisations should be mobilised to provide support to the people of Montserrat, with particular regard to resources for counselling, housing and accommodation on and off the land, restoration of production and livelihoods, education and health care.

Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) For and on behalf of The Participants