Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre Thursday joined Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and other regional Heads of Government for a tour of Carriacou to gain first-hand insight into the devastation caused by Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.
This dangerous and deadly hurricane was the strongest recorded hurricane to form in the Atlantic Ocean since 2005. Lives were lost, and livelihoods upended during its passage through the Caribbean. Although the financial cost of rebuilding the areas battered by Hurricane Beryl has yet to be determined, it has been noted that it will be astronomical.
At least 90% 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.
Pierre, on July 4, reiterated his appeal to the world’s biggest carbon emitters to meet their obligations to give vulnerable Small Island Developing States (SIDS) a fighting chance to adapt and defend against intensifying climate hazards.
The Prime Minister maintains that SIDS, like Saint Lucia and Grenada, should not be subjected to excessive layers of bureaucracy to access Loss and Damage funding facilities. Furthermore, multinational lending agencies and international financial institutions should include special disaster clauses in loan agreements with SIDS to trigger pauses in loan payments in the event of a deadly climate hazard like Hurricane Beryl.
The unprecedented and catastrophic devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl is a stark reminder to Saint Lucians of the looming threat they face year after year during the Atlantic Hurricane season. The Prime Minister implores every citizen and inhabitant of Saint Lucia to take every precaution and heed every warning to stay safe and protect their properties during this perennially perilous time.
Prime Minister Pierre has assured Prime Minister Mitchell of Saint Lucia’s support during Grenada’s ongoing recovery efforts. He encourages 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.