World Bank approves emergency operation to support recovery from Hurricane Beryl

Almost 25 000 Barbadians, including the island’s fisherfolk who were hard hit by Hurricane Beryl, are set to benefit from a $108 million World Bank-approved project to support the island’s recovery.

The Washington-based financial institution announced late Thursday that its Board of Executive Directors had earlier in the day approved the Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project which will provide critical support to the fisheries sector. This includes the repair and replacement of fishing vessels and equipment, and the rehabilitation of the Barbados Fisheries Marina and coastal protection infrastructure, incorporating climate-smart technology to enhance resilience and promote environmental sustainability.

The project will benefit approximately 24 640 people, the World Bank said.

“This US$54 million (BDS$108 million) initiative will focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure, protecting vulnerable communities, ensuring the sustainable recovery of the fishing industry, and enhancing the country’s disaster preparedness capacity, paving the way for a more resilient Barbados in the face of future climate risks,” it added.

“Efforts will also focus on strengthening Barbados’ preparedness and response capacity, with improvements to the national emergency management system, the development of a management information system, and the creation of inclusive emergency shelter strategies.”

Hurricane Beryl passed 150 kilometres off Barbados’ southern coast on July 1, causing extensive damage to the Bridgetown Port, the cruise terminal, the fisheries marina and its breakwater. The fishing industry was hit particularly hard, with 240 vessels damaged or destroyed, disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of people dependent on the sector. Tourism and housing were also affected, with 73 per cent of hotels, apartments, and guest houses, along with 40 homes, suffering various levels of damage.

The World Bank acknowledged that the government made substantial efforts to address the most urgent needs in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, including the relocation of fishing vessels, removal of debris, and rehabilitation of the port.

However, it noted that recognising that resilient recovery would entail rebuilding infrastructure, climate adaptation, and strengthening disaster preparedness, the government partnered with the financial institution to prepare the Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the initiative is “a testament to our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us, empowering our people, and safeguarding the future of Barbados”.

“We don’t want just to respond to the disaster—we want to ensure that we stand stronger in the face of the next one,” she said. “In the face of adversity, we must not only rebuild but rebuild with resilience.”

World Bank Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc noted that Barbados has been hit by approximately 30 climatic events in the last 30 years. The annual average loss on account of hurricanes alone is estimated at US$48 million (BDS$96 million), which is equivalent to nearly one per cent of the country’s GDP, she pointed out.

“In these challenging times, urgent support is crucial,” Burunciuc said. “The World Bank is committed to partnering with Barbados to tackle these pressing issues and ensure the resilience of its most vulnerable communities.”

The Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project is the first in Latin America and the Caribbean to be approved with a Rapid Response Option which allows unused financing from other projects to be used to address emergency needs when a crisis occurs.

There is also a Climate Resilient Debt Clause which gives Barbados the option of prioritising disaster recovery instead of debt repayment for up to two years.

The Beryl Emergency Response and Recovery Project is the first operation to be approved following Barbados’ re-engagement with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) as a borrowing member. Barbados graduated from IBRD in 1994 but continued receiving World Bank support on an ad hoc and exceptional basis.

(BT)