British Virgin Islands pledges US$400K in hurricane aid to St Vincent, Grenada

The Government of the British Virgin Islands has pledged US$400,000 to assist St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada following the impact of Hurricane Beryl.

This was recently announced by British Virgin Islands Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) 11th Council of Ministers: Environmental Sustainability.

“The government and people of the Virgin Islands remember well with great appreciation the outpouring of assistance that we received from the OECS family in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and are now happy to extend a helping hand to our brethren in your hour of need. I am pleased to announce a pledge to St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada of $200,000 each to contribute to your relief efforts,” said Wheatley, who also serves as the minister for environment, natural resources and climate change, and finance minister.

The premier also used the opportunity to emphasise the need for climate resilience in the Caribbean.

The BVI has been vocal in urging large, wealthy nations that contribute significantly to climate change to fund small, developing nations that are most affected by its impacts.

Wheatley noted that small, developing nations need more support as climate change poses a great risk to their land and marine resources, which are crucial for their survival.

SOURCE: CMC