JULY 8, 2024

Region rallies to bring relief to impacted islands

Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 storm on record to traverse the region, wreaked havoc in pockets of the Caribbean last week, causing devastation to the islands of the Grenadines and parts of the south coast of Jamaica.

According to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the focus is now on assisting Grenada and its Grenadines of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, as well as the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Union Island, Canouan, and Mayreau in St. Vincent. 

CDEMA participating states, along with regional and international partners, continue to support the ongoing response efforts being coordinated through the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM).

Donations to support relief efforts can be made via:

• Government of Grenada Natural Disaster Fund: pay.gov.gd

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines Disaster Relief Fund: svghurricanerelief.gov.vc/hurricane

• CHTA Education Foundation: www.chtaef.com

Quotable Caribbean

“This hurricane is a direct result of the climate crisis that Grenada, the Caribbean, and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are on the front line of. We are no longer prepared to accept that it is ok for us to constantly suffer significant loss and damage arising from climatic events and be expected to borrow, to rebuild year after year while the countries that are responsible for creating the situation and exacerbating the situation sit idly by with platitudes and tokenism. Grenada’s economy, Grenada’s environment both physically built and natural have taken an enormous hit from this hurricane. It has put the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique light years behind and they are required to pull themselves up by the bootstrap on their own. This is not right, it is not fair, it is not just. We demand and deserve climate justice.” – Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister, Grenada

CTO strengthens leadership and vision under Cayman chairmanship, new Secretary-General

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Under the skilled chairmanship of the Cayman Islands, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) continues to strengthen its image and relevance, especially with the appointment of Dona Regis-Prosper as the first female Secretary-General of the regional body.

Chairman of the CTO Board of Directors, Rosa Harris, recently commended Regis-Prosper’s leadership during Caribbean Week in New York, highlighting her efforts to raise the bar for the organization.

Watch the video clip to hear Harris’ take on developments at the CTO.

St. Lucian makes majestic music in New York

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St. Lucian musician Michel Aubertin took Caribbean excellence to a new level with his stunning rendition of Andrea Bocelli’s “Caruso” during the Cricket Watch Party at S’Aimer NYC during Caribbean Week in New York. Watch the clip. The reaction was electric!

CMEx supports CTO Foundation

Bevan Springer and Jacqueline Johnson in New York last month

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) is supporting the work of the CTO Scholarship Foundation. 

A check presentation was made by CMEx president Bevan Springer to Foundation Chair Jacqueline Johnson during the CTO’s Caribbean Week in New York at the InterContinental New York Times Square last month.

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper also made a contribution on behalf of the intergovernmental organization at the luncheon event, which was sponsored by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and attended by Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte.

The Foundation, which recently launched the Jean Holder Memorial Scholarship (honoring the legacy of tourism pioneer and former CTO SG the late Jean Holder), supports individuals from CTO member countries and territories who are interested in pursuing studies in tourism, hospitality, and foreign language training, and who demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and leadership, as well as a strong interest in contributing to the development of Caribbean tourism.

U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates Freedom Week: Honors heritage and history

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The U.S. Virgin Islands recently celebrated Freedom Week, Emancipation Day, and the Fourth of July honoring the Territory’s rich heritage, history, and enduring spirit of freedom. Carol Burke, Chairwoman of the Virgin Islands 175th Emancipation Commemoration Committee, is working with her team to spearhead initiatives to keep the flames of freedom burning, including deepening connections to the motherland. Watch this clip to learn more.

Medical Moment

World Population Day takes place on July 11 and reaffirms the human right to plan for a family.

This day raises awareness about population issues, including the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, and human rights.

Business groups, community organizations, and individuals worldwide will mark this day with activities that include seminars, educational sessions, and essay competitions.

The United Nations will make available the 2024 edition of the World Population Prospects (WPP), a biannual report that provides estimates and projections of population size and age structure for all countries and regions worldwide.

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