OTTAWA, Canada (CMC) — Canada has announced that it will be providing funds to assist Caribbean countries in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl as it barrelled its way through the region last week.

Canada’s International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said that humanitarian assistance will allow its 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.

He said that 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. 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,” said Hussen.

“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,” added Hussen, as he noted that Canada is sending relief supplies to Jamaica from its emergency stockpiles managed by the Canadian Red Cross.

Hussen said CAD$500,000 will be allocated to the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) for emergency food assistance and logistics services with CAD$160,000 being allocated to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies relief operations in response to its appeal for St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Jamaica.

In addition, he said Canada is also deploying essential relief items to the Jamaica Red Cross valued at up to CAD$350,000. He said Ottawa is also providing CAD$200,000 to the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) for the mobilisation of regional deployment teams and provision of direct support of countries requiring immediate response.

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

Hussen added that Canada is supporting emergency humanitarian personnel deployment on the ground in the Caribbean, including through funding provided to 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,” Hussen said.