Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: After being hit by the then Category-4 storm, Hurricane Beryl, several regions of the Caribbean Islands are still coping with the devastating damage that has been left after its passage. To evaluate the situation, Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, along with other OECS Prime Ministers, visited St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Prime Minister Drew stated, that while on his journey with his colleagues from the OECS he clicked few pictures while they were flying over the Union Island. He expressed the scene as “Pure devastation.”
PM Drew further stated that the citizens and government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to stand in solidarity with the brothers and sisters living in the affected islands. He also shared that, “Climate change is here,” and this is a clear message to everyone that we must be prepared and we should do it now.
“We have started our preparedness and will continue to do so,” PM Drew claimed. He also urged everyone to come together as and when the people and the country need us during any situation of hardship.
During the visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, PM Drew was accompanied by Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip J. Pierre; Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; Premier of the Cayman Islands Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and had a meeting with Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
This combined visit demonstrates a strong show of regional solidarity to overcome the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Also, the nations contributed with the relief supplies.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Dr. Gonsalves also thanked all the Caribbean leaders who called him within two days of the disaster.
Prime Minister of Dominica, Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit was also present there and shared that he is upset with the international community and the developed world for their reluctance on taking responsibility in a serious manner. He also expressed his views on how negatively the climate change has affected the Caribbean regions, the society and the lives of the people.
This united effort by CARICOM highlights strength and resilience as all the regions work together to rebuild and support each other.
