CADENA International’s Post

All things about Hurricane Beryl have had me in deep thought for much of this week, from how quickly it developed, to how can any one island nation truly prepare for a cyclone of this size that spans several countries as Beryl did? More times than not, there is not a place on the island where one is completely unaffected by the impact, so we all hunker down and hope for the best. However, each time the Caribbean faces devastation the resilience and camaraderie amongst our people are exemplified, as we often look beyond our individual needs to assist those with greater losses. Individually, our voices and plight can easily be drowned out by all the other devastating events occurring worldwide, but it's for this reason, I am grateful for regional institutions that advocate for us on the world stage and coordinate our efforts like CARICOM: Caribbean Community , Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and many other agencies. Let's not allow the challenging days ahead for the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Jamaica and the other countries impacted by Hurricane Beryl to be forgotten when the international news cycle move on. We would be rebuilding for years to come. Vincentians and other Caribbean nationals near and far let's do our best to support the efforts at home in whatever way we can. Let's continue to Rally round the West Indies. Link to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines donation website https://lnkd.in/ea_rgAWz Link to CDEMA's comprehensive reporting of the response efforts thus far https://lnkd.in/e23R9gzm Feel free to repost this and to share links to aid efforts of other affected countries in the comments section below. #HurrricaneBeryl #SVG #Caribbean #2024AtlanticHurricaneSeason

As Haiti stares down an “extraordinary” 2024 hurricane season, a number of crises have left the nation dangerously unprepared. The upcoming storms threaten further devastation for Haitians still reeling from previous natural disasters, including the devastating 2010 quake that levelled Port-au-Prince and killed around 200,000 people. But most Haitians are so focused on basic day-to-day survival that they’re unable to prepare for possible storms. Read the story by joseph guyler delva and Anastasia Moloney: https://lnkd.in/eqFaTXpT

Partnerships are key!

As climate change roars, all Caribbean nations must act with haste and review their building codes, with emphasis of concrete roofing. Further, ensure that utility companies set aside a percentage of their annual earnings; not necessarily as self-insurance but as an emergency fund to buffer their insurance coverages, especially in times of disaster. As the honorable Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell pointed out, underground cabling indeed a tumultuous task, that comes at a great expense, however, if governments consider making such an investment, the Return on Investment later could be beneficial for future generations.

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, my thoughts are with the people of the Grenadines. Rebuilding will undoubtedly be a long and challenging process. The Prime Minister's mention of the GRENLEC insurance/restoration fund is a positive step. GRENLEC stashed away 5% of its pretax profits as insurance. However, it raises a crucial point: financial preparedness for both businesses and individuals. The question of financial literacy is critical. Were small businesses and residents adequately prepared for this disaster? Did they have insurance, emergency funds, and recovery plans in place? Unfortunately, it's likely that many lacked these crucial safeguards. As we rebuild, let's prioritize financial resilience alongside climate resilience. A financially literate Caribbean population is essential for weathering future storms and ensuring a faster and stronger recovery.

Twenty-five years ago, Hurricane Mitch struck Central America, devastating communities across Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. As the deadliest Atlantic hurricane in 200 years, Mitch’s damage was immense. Intense rain and heavy flooding damaged homes and crops and lead to thousands of lives lost and millions forever changed. #Mitch continued its path of destruction into the #FloridaKeys and Naples, making landfall as a storm on November 5, 1998. Today, we remember all those who were affected by Mitch’s extensive devastation. #TeamIEM stands ready to help communities become better prepared and rebuild stronger to create a safe, secure and resilient world. #emergencymanagement #resilience #hurricaneseason #disasterpreparation #disasterresponse #disasterrecovery #safesecureresilient #HurricaneMitch

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, people all over the Caribbean, Mexico, and the coast of Texas are in need of help. Click the link below to find resources about the affected areas and how to maximize your impact! https://lnkd.in/gP5pA3T6

Downed power lines, collapsed infrastructure, damaged schools, community centres and churches – this is the aftermath of #HurricaneBeryl across several countries in the south-eastern Caribbean. Red Cross teams are on the ground, responding and supporting those who are most in need. At the Grenada Red Cross Society, Dominica Red Cross Society and St. Lucia Red Cross, volunteers are distributing emergency supplies including hygiene kits, tarpaulins, blankets and mosquito nets, as well as meals. St. Vincent and The Grenadines Red Cross volunteers are supporting assessments, providing first aid and delivering relief supplies. In Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, Red-Cross supported shelters have been able to close, and people have returned home. In anticipation of hurricane season and the potential impact, the Jamaica Red Cross pre-positioned emergency supplies and is keeping people updated with vital information on how to stay safe now that Beryl has passed. The strength of the Red Cross is our combination of community-based and global support. The Canadian Red Cross has a history of collaborating with Red Cross National Societies in the region. With the support of the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada), we are providing funds and personnel to support the global response. People in Canada wishing to help are encouraged to donate to the Canadian Red Cross Hurricane Beryl Appeal at http://redcross.ca or by calling 1-800-418-1111. 📸: 1-2 (Grenada Red Cross Society) 3-4 (Jamaica Red Cross) 5 (St Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross)

***CAUTION, EMERGENCY MANAGER DORK MODE*** I reviewed a situation report yesterday by Mercy Chefs for #HurricaneBeryl response. They are serving in multiple islands of the #Caribbean and in the City of Houston and across Harris County, Texas. So far, 65,000 meals + in Texas. A donated value of over $650,000 just in meals alone. (value averaged for federal meal rate) This is on top of countless disasters they have responded to across the country this year and it simply amazes me and reminds me to be thankful to those who support them financially as well as by volunteering. As an emergency manager it is easy to take for granted the work of nonprofits and imagine endless funding supply and everything comes for free. The truth is, for many nonprofits, donor fatigue and overwhelming seasons of disaster response can have a devastating impact on their ability to respond to the next disaster. While they don't charge for their service, there are avenues that #EmergencyManagement can pursue to help sustain their response. Unfortunately, many local emergency managers either aren't aware of the funding through Public Assistance, Cat B or they report to States and regions that discourage it under the guise of "how dare they ask for reimbursement." (this is more often the rule than the exception) International Association of Emergency Managers , National Emergency Management Association To build your local mass care capability, you MUST review the PAPPG guidance (Version 5 coming soon) to help you and your Finance Admin team leverage Cat B to ensure your local response isn't contingent on how a disaster season has impacted your reliable partners. Whether a local expense or a reimbursable one, you will never regret supporting nonprofits that are caring for your residents. Usually people having water and food is the last thing on your radar, but the first thing to get you hear at your after-action. If you need help digesting this, feel free to reach out to Rule One Consulting LLC at support@ruleoneconsulting.com where our consultants can help you navigate it. "Essential lessons remain consistent while new individuals continue to learn them." ~no formal attribution available Mass Care is often wrought with mistakes and "wish I would have known that" but rest assured, in the words of #BareNakedLadies Song, "Its All Been Done" Thanks to ALL the nonprofits AND their donors for carrying this burden for communities that desperately need your support.