The Targeted Support to CDEMA Project supports St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada after Hurricane Beryl

The 2024 Hurricane Season has already proven its intensity with Hurricane Beryl being the first major hurricane on record to form in the Atlantic in June. Eight CDEMA Participating States were impacted within a week, with Beryl heavily impacting St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Grenada. The Grenadines. The Targeted Support to CDEMA Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, provided immediate support to relief efforts in SVG and operational support in both islands guided by its mission to strengthen CDEMA’s capacity to respond to multi-island strikes following the unprecedented 2017 season.

Support to community recovery for the most vulnerable through the Caribbean Early Recovery Fund supporting for small, local projects

The Caribbean Early Recovery Fund (CERF) has been a key pillar of the Global Affairs Canada funded Targeted Support to CDEMA Project. The CERF aims to advance recovery after impact, by supporting local projects designed to build resilience Following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, Global Affairs Canada reallocated CAD$200,000 to the operations of the Regional Response Mechanism. High Commissioner of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Lilian Chatterjee, explained the need for support saying, “The Targeted Support to CDEMA project was designed to strengthen the Regional Response Mechanism and it has succeeded in many ways, including purchasing the emergency communications equipment that is being used by the responding teams.

“However, given the extremely challenging circumstances of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation of a number of islands, Canada is pleased to be able to re-allocate $200,000 of the project funds to support the ongoing operations of the Regional Response Mechanism and the teams who are helping the affected countries.”

After the explosive eruption of La Soufriere in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2021, $500,000CAD was allocated to provide critical recovery support.

Strengthened operational readiness to respond to natural disasters at the regional, sectoral, national and local levels

In October 2023, Global Affairs Canada officially handed over telecommunication equipment to CDEMA to be used by response teams in deployment. These included Goal Zero Yeti 3000X power station kits with portable power stations, 300-watt solar panels, fast chargers, 12-volt car chargers and high power extension cables. The agency received more equipment in June comprising:

• A Regional Resilient Mobile Communications System with telephones, a laptop and power supply
• A Satellite Internet Device
• Solar Power Generator

The equipment has been of great support to the Rapid Needs Assessment Teams, CARICOM Emergency Telecommunications Team and CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit as critical telecommunications infrastructure was significantly damaged by Hurricane Beryl. The teams have been able to conduct their assessments, communicate with stakeholders and provide support to the disaster management offices and national emergency coordination centres.