Bridgetown, Barbados – September 10, 2024 – The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) has made a cash contribution of US$100,000 or approximately EC$270,000 from its  Emergency Disaster Assistance Facility (EDAF) to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to assist in recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

The initial grant contribution will support the efforts of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the removal and transportation of the massive debris field left in the hurricane’s aftermath on the three Grenadine islands of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island. The cash support will directly finance sea transportation of the debris for safe recycling in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago. 

The immediate removal of the debris is critical to the recovery due to the protection of the fragile ecosystems, the establishment of access corridors to deliver relief and the shortage of appropriate disposal sites on the islands. Hurricane Beryl impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a Category 4 storm, causing damage, especially on the Grenadines islets of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island where damage to houses, schools, churches, commercial buildings, health facilities, and public buildings. Three (3) deaths were reported as directly attributable to hurricane’s impact on the island state.

The EDAF is a quick response facility created by the CDF to respond to natural or man-made events which cause widespread contagion, injury or death; damage to property, infrastructure or the environment, as well as disruption of livelihoods; and are of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of an affected disadvantaged country, region or sector within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to cope with its effects using only its own resources. The CDF is also working with the affected Member States to support the early restoration of livelihoods.

About the CDF 

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) is an institution of the Caribbean Community which is mandated to provide financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, sectors, and communities. The CDF is central to promoting regional cohesion by addressing disparities among the Member States of CARICOM, resulting from the implementation of the CSME and arising from external shocks.

For media inquiries, please contact: Rodinald Soomer, Chief Executive Officer, CARICOM Development Fund rsoomer@caricomdf.org