Jamaica is getting relief supplies from Canada from its emergency stockpiles

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Canada is providing support to the Caribbean region in the wake of Hurricane Beryl to the tune of CAD$1.2 million.

The announcement was made today by Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, who announced that Canada is providing over CAD $1 million in humanitarian assistance funding in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl. 

This funding will allow Canada’s humanitarian partners to provide life-saving assistance, such as emergency food and nutrition services, protection, and logistics services, and to ensure that humanitarian goods are dispatched and that humanitarian workers continue to be able to respond to the crisis in the face of daunting challenges.

Disaggregating financial aid

Of this amount, CAD $500,000 will be allocated to the World Food Programme (WFP) for emergency food assistance and logistics services.

As part of a Government of Canada project with the Canadian Red Cross Society’s Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund, CAD $160,000 will be allocated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies relief operations in response to its appeal for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Jamaica. 

In addition, Canada is also deploying essential relief items to the Jamaica Red Cross, valued at up to CAD $350,000.

Minister Hussen also announced that Canada is allocating CAD$200,000 to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) for the mobilization of regional deployment teams and the provision of direct support to countries requiring immediate response. 

Through the Build Back Equal project, Canada is contributing to UN Women and UN Population Fund efforts to distribute hygiene and dignity product kits in Grenada and in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

In addition, Canada is supporting emergency humanitarian personnel deployment on the ground in the Caribbean, including through funding provided to the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination and the Canadian Red Cross. 

Canada is also supporting the region’s preparations for major disasters before they happen through the WFP’s Resilience and Enhanced Adaptability to Disasters in the Caribbean project.

The WFP, in collaboration with response organizations including the CDEMA, is actively involved in preparedness actions to ensure that the international community is ready and able to support impacted people and the governments that support them.

With climate-related natural disasters on the rise and global warming leading to an increase in tropical storms, Canada is prepared to support people affected by severe weather crises.

Canada is committed to working with partners around the world on global environmental sustainability and emergency preparedness to ensure a safer future for all.

Canada is also sending relief supplies to Jamaica from its emergency stockpiles managed by the Canadian Red Cross, including tarpaulins, jerry cans, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits, and blankets.

According to Minister Hussen, “with climate-related disasters like Hurricane Beryl causing catastrophic damage, Canada is supporting those most in need. Our initial response will go toward meeting the most immediate and urgent needs in the Caribbean Region with emergency essentials like water, food, and health-care supplies. Our thoughts are with all those affected during these difficult times, and we continue to work closely with our partners to meet the evolving needs.”