One Caribbean Canada is urging Canadians to continue travelling to parts of the Caribbean not impacted by Hurricane Beryl and to donate through approved and registered charities to those islands that require emergency relief funds.
"We want to assure the Canadian public that although Hurricane Beryl has indeed been a deadly, strong storm, Beryl has not impacted all Caribbean countries and the best way to help these islands is to continue to travel to them," said Nancy Drolet, founder of One Caribbean Canada.
"It's important to understand the geography of the Caribbean and that there are 30+ countries in the region. A country may be made up of multiple islands: for example, Grenada is made up of three islands, Grenada itself, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. While Carriacou and Petite Martinique were severely damaged, the main island of Grenada where most Canadians visit, was virtually unscathed."
St. Vincent and the Grenadines consist of 32 islands, and the hurricane severely damaged some of the southernmost islands, such as Union Island, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, Canouan, and Mayreau.
Clean-up has already begun in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, and Negril—all areas with minor impacts—so it is business as usual. Montego Bay's airport is slated to reopen today. Assessments of damages on the south coast of Jamaica are still forthcoming.
"The Caribbean has had storms before and are resilient. Where needed, they will build again always with a view to rebuilding using all the newest building codes to ensure less damage occurs with future storms. But now our thoughts turn to how we can help the areas that have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
"Canadians have always had close ties with the Caribbean region, and we hope that we can count on their support even though times are tough for everyone," One Caribbean Canada stated.
The Caribbean group has created a page of approved and registered charities or approved government disaster relief funds to aid those countries most impacted by Beryl.
"We are constantly updating the website with new, pertinent and most importantly, accurate information. We invite Canadians to visit https://onecaribbeancanada.ca/hurricane-updates/ and then help – either by volunteering at Global Medic or by donating tarpaulins or blankets or by making financial contributions so that most needed items can be purchased. We want to thank Canadians for their wonderful words of support and encouragement and look forward to welcoming them back to our islands soon."
Global Medic is recognized as a preferred charity where Canadians can either volunteer in person or make financial contributions. In addition, there are suggestions on what items are most needed to help those in Grenada and St. Vincent and The Grenadines who have lost their homes and all their belongings.
