How To Help the Caribbean After Hurricane Beryl

In the Caribbean, hurricanes are more than a storm in a teacup.

Hurricane Beryl barreled through the Caribbean last week, leaving devastation in its wake and Caribbean lovers with a hole in their hearts. If, like me, you’re wondering how you can help the people of Grenada and its sister islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique; residents of Union Island and Palm Island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and the people of Jamaica, here’s a vetted list of organizations that welcome your donations.

It’s at times like these we remember that the Caribbean is MUCH more than a vacation playground. The region is home to millions of people, who are now being inordinately impacted by the effects of climate change (in this case, earlier and stronger hurricanes), which is caused primarily by large, industrialized nations. Something for Americans to consider as we prepare to vote this fall.

1.    The Grenadian government’s Hurricane Beryl Relief Fund is accepting online donations on behalf of its residents here.

2.    The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has established an official disaster relief fund and is accepting donations here.

3.    Private-island resort Palm Island has started a GoFundMe to help rebuild Union Island, home to most of the resort’s staff.

4.    Sandals operates resorts in countries including St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Jamaica. The company’s non-profit Sandals Foundation has launched a relief drive, to which you can donate here.

5.    In Jamaica, the south-coast town of Treasure Beach (home to one of my favorite boutique resorts, Jakes) was one of the hardest-hit communities. The American Friends of Jamaica has set up a relief and rebuilding fund that you can contribute to by clicking here.

6.    Organizations in Stateside communities with large Caribbean populations (check your local media) are shipping supplies to affected islands. While needs will vary by island, items being requested in the short- to medium-term in all affected locations include the following:

·      Bottled water

·      Non-perishable/canned food

·      Baby and adult diapers

·      First aid kits

·      Batteries

·      Cellphone power banks

·      Bedding

·      Solar-powered flashlights

·      Reflective vests

·      Toiletries

·      Sanitary napkins

·      Baby formula