‘Give us more Beryl help’

The leaders of Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines are appealing for more international support and climate action following widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl.

As the Eastern Caribbean region continues to recover from the devastating storm two weeks ago, Prime Ministers Dickon Mitchell and Ralph Gonsalves are pushing for sustainable recovery policies and robust measures to counter climate change.

The destruction caused by Beryl has again highlighted how vulnerable small islands are to extreme weather events and reinforced the urgency for global measures on climate change. As Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines continue to long, painful process of recovery, focus remains on the international community’s response to this crisis and the broader issue of climate change.

The United Nations and its partners have launched a Regional Response Plan, aiming to raise at least $18 million to assist around 43,000 people in urgent need of humanitarian aid. The plan intends to benefit 24,000 people in Grenada and 19,000 in St Vincent.

Gonsalves said: “We need the world to understand the existential threat that climate change poses to us. The scale of the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl is a clear indication of the urgency with which we must act.” He outlined how financial aid recovery efforts are being disbursed and appealed for debt forgiveness for natural disaster-related debts. He stressed the importance of quick fund disbursement post-disaster to facilitate immediate relief and recovery efforts.

Mitchell echoed these sentiments: “It is not just a matter of immediate relief,” he said. “We are looking at long-term needs that involve significant capital investment for clean-up, rebuilding, and revitalising the local economy. We need grant resources rather than loans to avoid further debt.”

Gonsalves said: “Our rebuilding efforts must be aligned with sustainable development goals. This means constructing infrastructure that can withstand future storms and investing in renewable energy sources to reduce our carbon footprint.”

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was praised by Gonsalves for its contribution to recovery. “CARICOM has been instrumental in coordinating the regional response to Hurricane Marilyn. The solidarity among member states has been exemplary, providing critical support in the form of emergency supplies, technical assistance, and coordinated relief efforts.”

Mitchell added: “We need the international community to stand with us, not just in the immediate aftermath but for the long haul. This includes both immediate aid and long-term investment to build resilience against future disasters.”

Mitchell stressed the importance of long-term strategies: “We must ensure that our recovery efforts are not just about rebuilding what was lost but also about building back better. This includes strengthening our infrastructure and investing in sustainable practices to better withstand future storms.”