…as hurricane ravaged island receives support from Guyana in rebuilding efforts
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada has expressed his gratitude to President Dr Irfaan Ali and the people of Guyana as this country continues its efforts to aid the islands in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation.
According to President Dickon Mitchell, the donation from the Guyana Government is the largest the country has received so far.
“To my comrade and colleague President Ali, I want to take the opportunity to thank him for the relief supplies and the building materials on this vessel. It has come at a critical time for the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is perhaps the single largest physical donation of relief and building material supplies so far that we’ve received,” he stated as the vessel which was loaded in Guyana with donations arrived on the island.
He added that this donation serves as a testimony to Guyana’s timely help. Further, 58 members of the GDF are also in Grenada supporting the restoration and relief work. They are contributing tremendously to a sense of security, peace, and calm, and to a sense of hope and optimism, particularly for the people who’ve been impacted by the hurricane.
“It’s a 19-page manifest. It’s a testament to the fact that our brothers and sisters within CARICOM have not just talked support for Grenada, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines, but they’re demonstrating it in a timely and obvious manner. So we are really, really appreciative of the gesture.”
“On my own personal behalf, and on behalf of the government and people of Grenada, we are truly, truly grateful and appreciative of the tremendous support that we’re receiving from our brothers and sisters within CARICOM,” President Mitchell added.
The arrival marks a concerted effort by Guyana to support Grenada’s recovery following the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted the nation’s infrastructure. Upon arrival, the troops were greeted by the Prime Minister of Grenada, The Honorable Dickon Mitchell, who thanked the government and the people of Guyana.
In addition to the personnel, the GDF’s operational capabilities were significantly bolstered by the arrival of the vessel MV Lady Fazeela, which docked at Carriacou Island carrying substantial relief supplies from Guyana.
Grenadian Prime Minster, Dickon Mitchell looking at some of the items received (Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada photo)
Guyana has committed to assisting in the reconstruction of several vital projects deemed essential for the community’s recovery and long-term resilience. Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Brigadier Omar Khan MSS emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in times of need. “The GDF stands ready to support our Caribbean brothers and sisters. Our mission is to provide immediate relief and assist in the reconstruction and recovery efforts.”
Members of the Guyana Defense Force deployed in Grenada
The category four hurricane made landfall on July 1 in Carriacou, Grenada, and subsequently intensified into a category five storm. According to info received by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Beryl, originating as a tropical depression, underwent a rapid intensification on June 30th, making it the earliest major hurricane in the Atlantic. The cyclone swiftly moved westward, posing an immediate threat to several islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Beryl’s journey across the Eastern Caribbean was marked by its strength, reaching Category 3 to Category 4 with maximum sustained winds between 130 and 150 MPH. Hurricane Beryl impacted nine (9) CDEMA Participating States: Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and its dependents, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica, Haiti, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The impact on Grenada and its dependents and St. Vincent and the Grenadines was significant, prompting a level two response support from the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM). Over 10 persons died as a result of the hurricane. (G2)
