Global Mission mobilising immediate aid for victims of Hurricane Beryl

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and the Caribbean Consular Corps (CCC) at a press conference on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, addressed the urgent need for aid following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl which principally affected Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Jamaica, and to a lesser extent, Barbados and Trinidad &Tobago.

The organisation said in a release that the event saw a significant gathering of officials and consular representatives, including Consul General of Jamaica and Dean of the CCC Olive Mair; Consul General of Barbados, Rudy Grant; Consul General of St. Lucia, Darrel Montrope; Deputy Consul General for Grenada, Dianne Perotte; other Caribbean consular representatives; and members of the Caribbean Strong Relief Fund and the Janice Lyttle Foundation. These leaders collectively underscored the critical importance of immediate and coordinated aid efforts.

Given the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) prediction of an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, driven by La Niña and warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, the need for rapid mobilization is more significant than ever, the organisation said in its release. This year’s forecast includes 17 to 25 named storms, with 4 to 7 potentially becoming major hurricanes.

During the press conference, GEM and CCC outlined the immediate response plan, emphasizing the need for volunteer support and community donations. Volunteers are needed to help mobilization of emergency kits to the Caribbean in conjunction with the Caribbean Consular Corps, the Janice Lyttle Foundation and SFL Caribbean Strong. Volunteer hours are from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m, seven days a week, starting July 3 (including Independence Day) at GEM’s warehouse (1850 NW 84th Ave #100, Doral, FL 33126).

Donations can also be dropped off at GEM’s warehouse in Doral, the release further said a list of needed items has been drawn up including tarpaulins, generators, trash waste bags, canned foods, sleeping bags, work gloves, solar-powered lights, tents, industrial sponges, professional first-aid kits, and hygiene kits. The Global Empowerment Mission was established in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti with a mission to deliver the most aid to the most people in need swiftly and cost-effectively.