Hurricane Beryl: GDF ranks return home, hailing rebuilding efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Tuesday officially welcomed home a 42-member contingent following their successful completion of a humanitarian mission on Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
The GDF ranks that assisted in the rebuilding efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines
The team, which comprised two officers and 40 other ranks, was deployed under the directive of President Irfaan Ali as part of Guyana’s contribution to a regional emergency response. Their deployment came in the wake of the powerful Category 4 storm that inflicted widespread devastation on the island.
In a social media post on the GDF Facebook page, it was stated that during the mission, the ranks engaged in extensive recovery and rebuilding efforts, including the restoration of more than 187 homes. Their work involved critical repairs to roofing, windows, and doors, as well as plumbing, electrical, and painting services. The contingent also played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the Union Island Police Station and the rehabilitation of the Stephanie Brown Primary School, which served as their operational base.
In honour of their service, the contingent was greeted with high commendation at a formal welcome ceremony hosted at Base Camp Ayanganna. Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, praised the ranks for their professionalism, resilience, and unwavering dedication to regional duty. Highlighting the significance of their work, Brigadier Khan announced the creation of the GDF’s first Humanitarian Service Medal. The newly designed honour, he said, will be presented to all returning members of the Union Island mission in recognition of their outstanding contribution to regional relief efforts. He also confirmed that the medal will be awarded retroactively to ranks who served in previous humanitarian missions, including the GDF’s deployment to Grenada.
The contingent’s return closely followed the celebration of CariCom Day and underscored the spirit of regional unity in times of crisis. The mission stands as a testament to Guyana’s ongoing commitment to the Caribbean Community (CariCom) and to the GDF’s evolving leadership role in regional disaster response and humanitarian relief.
Hurricane Beryl, the first storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, caused widespread destruction across parts of the Eastern Caribbean, including Union Island.
The team, which comprised two officers and 40 other ranks, was deployed under the directive of President Irfaan Ali as part of Guyana’s contribution to a regional emergency response. Their deployment came in the wake of the powerful Category 4 storm that inflicted widespread devastation on the island.
Highlighting the significance of their work, Brigadier Khan announced the creation of the GDF’s first Humanitarian Service Medal. The newly designed honour, he said, will be presented to all returning members of the Union Island mission in recognition of their outstanding contribution to regional relief efforts. He also confirmed that the medal will be awarded retroactively to ranks who served in previous humanitarian missions, including the GDF’s deployment to Grenada.
