Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has taken swift action to provide aid to child victims of Hurricane Beryl and deliver relief supplies to Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the wake of the devastating storm.
Following a virtual meeting with Caricom Heads on the morning of July 2, Rowley shared updates from Grenada PM Dickon Mitchell and SVG PM Ralph Gonsalves, who reported on the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl.
The Category 5 hurricane left four dead and inflicted millions of dollars in damages as it ravaged Carriacou in Grenada and neighboring SVG. The storm made history by becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin.
PM Gonsalves revealed the extent of the devastation in Union Island, where the airport roof was ripped off, along with significant damage to other islands in the region. Meanwhile, PM Mitchell described the situation in Carriacou as dire, with reports of several deaths and widespread destruction.
In response, the Trinidad and Tobago government is mobilizing relief supplies, with plans to dispatch aid to the affected countries by marine crafts. Additionally, PM Rowley has offered to welcome school-age children from the devastated areas into TT if they have family in the country to host them during the school holiday period.
This isn’t the first time TT has extended a helping hand to its Caricom neighbors in times of crisis. Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, TT allowed Dominicans to stay in the country without entry restrictions for six months. Now, the country is stepping up once again to support Grenada and SVG.
As other countries in the region, like Guyana, also join in the relief efforts, the focus remains on providing crucial aid and support to those affected by Hurricane Beryl. With ongoing assessments of the damage and collaborative efforts in place, the Caribbean community is coming together to overcome the challenges posed by the storm.
As the affected regions begin the recovery process, residents like Curlan Campbell in Grenada and Kwesi Lockhart in SVG are showcasing resilience and determination in the face of adversity. While the road to recovery may be long, the spirit of community and support shines through as nations unite to rebuild and restore what was lost.
As Hurricane Beryl continues its path towards Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and beyond, the region remains vigilant and prepared to face the challenges posed by the storm. Together, the Caribbean stands strong, ready to overcome any obstacles in its path with unity and solidarity.
