Caribbean Leaders Urge Financial Relief Post-Hurricane Beryl Devastation

Caribbean island leaders called for alleviation from international lenders after Hurricane Beryl caused extensive damage, impacting thousands of lives. They stressed that increasing debt is unsustainable and demanded global action on climate change. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility will pay $44 million to Grenada, yet substantial recovery efforts are still needed.

Caribbean island leaders on Thursday implored international lenders to ease financial burdens following the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record due to climate change.

Beryl displaced an estimated 20,000 people across Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with each nation facing hundreds of millions in damages.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St Vincent and the Grenadines criticized major polluting nations for their inaction on climate change. In response, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility will allocate $44 million to aid Grenada. However, leaders emphasize this payout is insufficient for enduring recovery efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)