Editorial

As the Cayman Islands moves into its "restoration" phase of post-Ivan recuperation, it is heartening to see initiatives unfolding and beginning to bear fruit.

Trailer homes arrived this week, bringing some welcome respite to those most affected by Ivan; district work teams are being assembled and options are being explored as to feasibility of bulk purchasing -- all aspects of government's housing assistance initiative which has so far funded 225 housing projects; and schools have received temporary classrooms as they prepare for the massive, $18-plus million rebuilding programme.

Another ray of light filtering through at this time is the dockside expansion initiative. Along with other measures, this should soon translate into faster movements of cargo on an increasingly widening scale.

At the same time, the government is sensitive to the importance of planning now for future disaster mitigation, evidence by the UNDP draft report. We have all learned some very valuable lessons from Ivan and we must apply these so that we are much better protected and prepared in the future.

And this effort must be approached on a national scale as well as from the perspective of what we each can do in the way we structure our lives. For example, in this week's Spirit we call homeowners' attention to hurricane proofing your homes as you rebuild. Spirit pinpoints one key prevention strategy - making sure exterior doors are well sealed - and that they swing outward. Providing they are properly installed with appropriate hardware, exterior doors that swing outward seal tighter with the force of wind and water against them. And your aim must be to prevent the ingress of wind and water into your house.

Doors are, of course, only one factor, but a critical one that is often overlooked. The point is, if we don't pay attention to details, small chinks can snowball under pressure, becoming a major factor in enabling rampant destruction and threat to lives within our homes.

We therefore urge all residents to take stock now of your roles in future disaster mitigation within the spheres of your homes, families and businesses.