CIBC Caribbean donates US $100 000 to Caribbean countries hit by Beryl

CIBC Caribbean has announced a donation of US$100,000 to support hurricane relief efforts in Caribbean islands affected by Hurricane Beryl. The funds, provided through the bank’s charitable arm, the ComTrust Foundation, will be directed towards restoration efforts in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica, as well as assisting affected fisherfolk in Barbados. Mark St Hill, chief executive officer of CIBC Caribbean and Chairman of the ComTrust Foundation, said: “The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has seen near complete destruction of some communities and thousands of people across the region are in urgent need of assistance. We stand with our team members and affected communities in the Caribbean as they navigate these difficult circumstances and join our clients in supporting immediate recovery efforts.”

St Hill emphasised the bank’s ongoing connection to the region.

“Not so long ago, Grenada and St Vincent were members of our network; we employed several dozen people there and in fact, we still have some Vincentians and Grenadians on our team, so we feel their loss keenly, though we have moved away, we are still family.”

The bank plans to channel funds through various organisations. Donations will be made for the Grenadines via the ComTrust Foundation and the Barbados Red Cross, which is coordinating with Red Cross offices in St Vincent and Grenada. In Jamaica, funds will be distributed through the Salvation Army and Food for the Poor, an international relief agency. CIBC Caribbean will also contribute to a relief fund established in Barbados for fisherfolk who lost their boats during the hurricane (BarbadosToday)