Caribbean marks 51st anniversary of Hurricane Beryl emergency

Unlike other years, the bloc was unable to celebrate its birth with the traditional summit of heads of government that always coincides with the date, serves as a space for discussion on the main problems in the region, and concludes with the transfer of the temporary presidency for six months.

Peryl’s passing has postponed until further notice the celebration of the conclave, which was scheduled to meet in Granada as the next rotating leader of the Caribbean Community.

But this country in particular is one of the most devastated by the hurricane, with three deaths and a catastrophic situation on the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique, which received the direct impact of the weather system.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is the other affected area, with one death reported, and the worst-case scenario facing Union Island, where 90 percent of properties are on land.

Jamaica escaped Beryl’s direct passage, but reported one death, one missing person, and extensive damage, especially in the southern part of the country.

Barbados, St. Lucia and Dominica are also recovering from minor damage, while Belize and the Cayman Islands are the next threat as the storm moves across the Caribbean.

According to the official CARICOM website, the bloc will be carrying out some online activities this Thursday to commemorate its founding anniversary, with the usual communications expected from Secretary-General Carla Barnett and current interim President and Guyanese leader Irfaan Ali.

These leaders remain active in coordinating, collecting and transporting humanitarian aid to countries affected by Beryl, after the endorsement of the ongoing support provided by the Integration Group to its members.

CARICOM was born on this date in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which set the goals of promoting equitable and harmonious development of its partners, coordinating foreign policy and trade, and enhancing cooperation in the economic, agricultural, industrial, transport and communications sectors.

Its members include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Montserrat, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Belize, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname.

Anguilla, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands are listed as partners.

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