(Commonwealth_ Caribbean officials on Friday demanded increased access to funding and assistance in combating climate change, following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl. The urgent plea was made during a meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, D.C. Officials emphasized that the catastrophic storm had highlighted the vulnerability of the region’s small islands. Hurricane Beryl claimed at least seven lives and obliterated nearly all infrastructure on some islands in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“(We) are on the front line,” stated Virginia Albert-Poyotte, the delegate for St. Lucia. She urged for greater availability of climate financing and the inclusion of special disaster clauses by financial institutions. Albert-Poyotte and other delegates pointed out that the fragile economies of small Caribbean islands, which heavily rely on tourism and fishing, are particularly susceptible to such natural disasters. The islands’ often precarious infrastructure only exacerbates their vulnerability.
A resolution approved on Friday by the OAS highlighted that past hurricanes have resulted in higher insurance premiums, increased unemployment, and elevated poverty levels. The resolution called for the immediate activation of a loss and damage fund, previously agreed upon at U.N. climate change conferences, to aid vulnerable nations in both recovery and future storm preparedness.
Moreover, the resolution urged financial and development institutions to release funds to disaster-affected small nations on a concessionary basis, without imposing onerous conditions. It also requested the cancellation, deferral, or rescheduling of debt repayments for these nations.
OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro underscored the insufficiency of current funds directed towards islands affected by Beryl. He noted that Caribbean leaders, along with the U.N., have requested at least $9 million in aid. However, the response has been inadequate, leaving the islands in a precarious state.
The delegates stressed the immediate need for action, emphasizing that the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes due to climate change pose a continual threat. They argued that while the small island nations contribute minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, they bear a disproportionate brunt of climate impacts.
Albert-Poyotte highlighted the dire need for robust infrastructure to withstand future storms and reduce the economic fallout from such disasters. She argued that investment in resilient infrastructure is not just a necessity for recovery but also a critical step towards sustainable development. This sentiment was echoed by other delegates who called for a comprehensive approach to climate resilience, integrating both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
The call for the operationalization of the loss and damage fund is seen as a pivotal step in addressing the financial needs of vulnerable countries. The fund, established under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is intended to provide financial support to countries experiencing climate-induced losses and damages that they cannot cope with on their own. However, its implementation has been slow, and the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has brought its urgency to the forefront.
The resolution’s appeal for debt relief also highlights the financial strain on small island nations. High levels of debt often constrain these countries’ ability to invest in necessary climate resilience measures. By canceling, deferring, or rescheduling debt repayments, the resolution aims to provide these nations with the fiscal space needed to recover and rebuild more effectively.
The delegates’ discussions at the OAS meeting reflect a broader, growing recognition of the need for international cooperation and solidarity in addressing the impacts of climate change. As small island nations continue to grapple with the increasing threats posed by climate change, their calls for support and fair treatment in the global financial system become ever more pressing.
