The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has deployed staff to Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to assist in delivering immediate response support following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted both countries on July 1, 2024.

The CDB-supported Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) has been activated, mobilising resources such as personnel, equipment, and financial assistance for territories most severely affected by the storm. Through the RRM, which is being operationally spearheaded by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), personnel are now on the ground in impacted territories carrying out the necessary physical and social needs assessments to effectively support coordination of the first line response.

"We are committed to providing immediate and effective support to the communities affected by Hurricane Beryl," Mr. Isaac Solomon, CDB's Acting Presidentexplained. "Our staff is part of the Rapid Needs Assessment Teams (RNAT) on the ground in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, responding swiftly to assess and address the critical needs of those impacted. At the same time, we are also collaborating with partner organisations to mobilise resources and coordinate efforts to ensure that as many people as possible receive the help they require during this difficult time."

CDB staff will support the social aspects of the post-event evaluations including stakeholder engagement with Government representatives, Non-Governmental and Community-based Organisations, and impacted households. Due attention will be given to the needs of vulnerable groups to ensure that children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged are appropriately supported during the crisis. A CDB technical expert is also being deployed to assist with the recovery efforts in the water sector in Grenada.

RNAT will also carry out initial damage and other assessments to assist governments in determining immediate needs and also to guide the immediate in-country response. At the same time, CDB is coordinating financial and other support to address urgent assistance requests, which will emerge within the next few days following evaluations.

The CDB team is in communication with the government of Jamaica which was affected by Hurricane Beryl on July 3, 2024. The Bank is also monitoring developments in Cayman Islands and Belize, other member countries that the hurricane is project to impact.