Grenada has activated its Disaster Relief Fund following the significant devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, which hit the tri-island state as a Category 4 storm on Monday, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States announced on Friday.
Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, livelihoods and the natural environment and has left many citizens in urgent need of assistance, the OECS reported.
In addition to making financial contributions via the Grenada government’s online payment portal, people may also send contributions via wire transfer as well as donate priority items (see attached posters/lists).
According to officials, approximately 98 percent of the buildings on the islands, where between 9,000 and 10,000 people live, have been damaged or destroyed. Included in the destruction are Carriacou’s main health facility, the Princess Royal Hospital, its airport and marinas. Speaking at a press briefing after visiting the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell declared, “We have to rebuild from the ground up.”
He also remarked on the damage to crops and the environment caused by Hurricane Beryl, stating, “There is literally no vegetation left anywhere on the island of Carriacou, the mangroves are totally destroyed.”
In a statement after the hurricane passed, OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules said he was “deeply saddened by the loss of life and significant devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in our region with notably severe impact on Grenada (Carriacou and Petite Martinique) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I send my deepest condolences to the families and all those who have been impacted by this extreme weather event.”
He commended the government of Saint Lucia, which provided a helicopter to the prime minister of Grenada to survey the islands. The helicopter was also used to transport urgently needed medical supplies.
“As individual islands, we may be small, but as one region, together we can withstand and overcome all challenges,” said Jules, who also commended France for offering logistical and transportation assistance to access Carriacou and Petite Martinique (Grenada) and the many Grenadine islands (St. Vincent) that have been devastated and are currently inaccessible.
Other agencies have announced efforts to aid the affected islands, including:
- World Central Kitchen, which is on the ground to provide fresh meals to the victims. Donate here.
- The United Nations World Food Program, which is providing emergency food supplies. Donate here.
- The American Red Cross, where donations can be made at redcross.org by going to the “I Want to Support” menu and selecting “Disaster Relief.”
- Airlink, a nonprofit that partners with aviation companies to transport relief workers and supplies in collaboration with The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency. Monetary donations can be made to its Hurricane Beryl efforts at airlinkflight.org/donate. Airline miles can also be donated at donate.mileageplus.com.
- Global Empowerment Mission, formed in 2010 in the aftermath of the devastating Haiti earthquake, is accepting donations for Hurricane Beryl relief at its website.
- Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, welcomes donations for its Hurricane Beryl response. Select from the drop-down menu on its website.
- Save the Children has initiated a Hurricane Beryl relief fund.
For more information, visit the Grenada government website.
