The Commonwealth Secretariat has responded to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall on Caribbean islands as a Category 4 storm and strengthened to a Category 5 hurricane, causing immense damage, by enabling its Rapid Response mechanism to assist the Caribbean’s impacted member nations.
The hurricane has severely disrupted people’s lives and livelihoods in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as causing substantial property damage.
Local Red Cross workers are on the ground in Caribbean Islands including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Dominica, and Barbados, offering life-saving aid despite major obstacles in reaching the afflicted communities, the majority of which are dispersed and remote. To address the immediate needs of the impacted population, hygiene kits, cleaning, and tool kits, cooking sets, tarpaulins, blankets, and mosquito nets have already been sent to the hardest-hit islands.
In the days to come, Beryl’s effects on people’s livelihoods and physical and emotional health will also be evaluated. The devastation is immense, according to the quick damage assessments completed thus far.
When the hurricane hit Barbados first, it severely wrecked the island’s south shore and had a big impact on the fishing sector, destroying or damaging more than 200 fishing vessels. Ninety percent of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ infrastructure—including homes, roads, and the Union Island airport terminal—was destroyed. Ninety-five percent of the residences in Carriacou and Petite Martinique were damaged when Category 4 hurricane Beryl made landfall in Grenada. Three thousand people were in shelters as the state of emergency was in effect. In order to reestablish power and communication services, the Grenada Red Cross worked with authorities while distributing relief supplies.
Coordination and relief efforts
To guarantee a thorough and effective response, the Secretariat is working with the impacted member nations, regional organizations, and humanitarian partners under the direction of the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC.
Commonwealth believes all Commonwealth member states should put in a strong and coordinated effort to support the affected due to the magnitude of this calamity, and Commonwealth Secretariat is working continuously to support these efforts.
In addition to offering instant relief, prompt assistance of member states will show our shared values and dedication to supporting those in need.
You can make direct financial contributions to the impacted governments by sending funds to the following accounts:
Grenada Disaster Relief Fund
Account Name: Grenada Relief Fund
Bank Name: Lloyds
Account Number: 00584503
Sort Code: 30-92-83
Correspondent Bank Name: Lloyds
Correspondent Bank Address: 417 North End Road, London, SW6 1NS
Correspondent Bank SWIFT/BIC Code: LOYDGB21303
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Disaster Relief Fund
Bank: Bank of St Vincent and the Grenadines
Account Name: Government of St Vincent and Grenadines Disaster Relief Fund
Account Number: 137741
Swift Code: NCBVVC22
Correspondent Bank Name: Crown Agents Bank Limited
Correspondent Bank Address: London, United Kingdom
Correspondent Bank SWIFT/BIC Code: CRASGB2L
Jamaica
Beneficiary Name: Office of Disaster Preparedness
Beneficiary Address: 1-2 Haining Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica
Account Number: 212387304
SWIFT/BIC Code: JNCBJMKX
Reference: Hurricane Donation
Correspondent Bank Name: Barclays PLC
Correspondent Bank Address: 1 Churchill Place E14 5HP
Correspondent Bank SWIFT/BIC Code: BARCGB22
