By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, prime ministers of St Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and Saint Lucia joined colleague Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada to assess the damages caused by category-4 hurricane Beryl, and to offer support to those affected. The category 4 hurricane made landfall on Monday, July 01, 2024, leaving a trail of destruction in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
“Everyone’s heart should cry out for the people of Union Island, Carriacou, St Vincent, Grenada, parts of Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and the fisherfolk of Barbados, all of whom suffered greatly under hurricane Beryl’s severe blow. On Union Island and Carriacou, the destruction was particularly vicious, leaving residents lost and helpless, with their homes and livelihoods destroyed,” Sir Ronald Sanders said in his weekly column. “It is crucial for every government worldwide to recognize that these suffering individuals are not the architects of their misfortune. The root cause is climate change, driven by governments that continue to emit massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These emissions have created and perpetuate the conditions for climate change, including the extreme warming of the seas. In other words, the people suffering in these five Caribbean countries are victims of a crisis created by others.”
Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, noted:
“ We visited a number of the affected persons in Grenada and Carriacou and it was heart-wrenching to see the extent of the devastation. It was a stark reminder of the existential threat of climate change. Our countries vow to work together to help Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique through this most difficult time. The appeal for climate justice is an urgent one and we need a unified international approach to deal with the climate crisis.”
- Related: Hurricanes fuel climate poverty
Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, advised:
“We discussed the regional response with Grenada’s Prime Minister Mitchell and assured him of our commitment to advocate for immediate action to combat the climate crisis. I continue to emphasize the urgent need for climate justice that addresses the disproportionate impacts of climate change on our vulnerable Caribbean states.”
Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre, in a press release said:
“Lives were lost, and livelihoods upended during the passage of the storm. Although the financial cost of rebuilding the areas battered by hurricane Beryl is astronomical, the resolve of the Grenadian people, particularly those who bore the brunt of the hurricane’s powerful strength that fateful night – is unwavering.
“At least 90 percent of the physical infrastructure, including homes and businesses in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, were destroyed. Grenadian authorities have declared St Patrick, Carriacou and Petite Martinique Grenada disaster zones.”
Prime Minister Pierre assured Saint Lucia’s support during Grenada’s ongoing recovery efforts and encouraged Saint Lucians to support the people and government of Grenada by donating to the Natural Disaster Relief Fund and providing essential supplies to families and communities in need.
Meanwhile, regional prime ministers continue to advocate for climate change financing for all CARICOM countries and a better future.
Hurricane Beryl heavily impacted St Vincent and the Grenadines. The prime ministers also plan to visit prime minister Ralph Gonsalves.
