World Food Program USA’s Post

International SOS is assisting clients impacted by Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 hurricane which has made landfall in the Caribbean. Learn more about how International SOS is supporting those impacted: https://okt.to/MJL4fw

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 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.

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

The start of the hurricane season 🌪️ in the #Caribbean is a good time to review physical & socio-economic #resilience to disasters. We need to prioritize both preventive actions & response capacities. @UNDP is closely working with govts in these areas 👉 https://lnkd.in/esh4CjRi

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

If you experienced damage from Hurricane Beryl, make sure you self-report it at damage.la.gov.   Reporting damage to your home can help parish, state and federal authorities better understand the location and severity of damage caused by significant weather events. This information can help expedite the Individual Assistance process following major disasters and emergencies.   Take a few minutes to submit your information at damage.la.gov.

Hurricane season starts on June 1, are you prepared? Learn how FFTP pre-positions emergency supplies in advance of a storm in countries that are most vulnerable. Read more: https://bit.ly/3wC9TNA