By S.Browne. Updated 2:53 p.m., Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
A new Recovery and Resilience Project is set to be launched by the government as St. Vincent and the Grenadines marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Beryl, which left widespread destruction across the country in 2024.
Prime Minister Dr Godwin Friday said the initiative will focus on strengthening disaster preparedness while continuing recovery efforts in communities still rebuilding after the passage of the Category 4 hurricane.
“Today, July 1st, marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Beryl. Who can forget the devastation, the horror, that hurricane caused in our country?” he said.
“And the southern Grenadines, of course, felt the brunt of it. Homes, lives, livelihoods, property destroyed.”
Hurricane Beryl struck the southern Grenadines on July 1, 2024, causing catastrophic damage across islands including Union Island, Canouan and Mayreau. Thousands of homes were destroyed or severely damaged, critical infrastructure was impacted, and residents were displaced as recovery operations were launched nationwide.
Prime Minister Dr Friday said recovery efforts are ongoing, while government prepares to introduce a structured programme aimed at improving resilience ahead of future storms.
“And we are continuing the process of recovery. Very soon, my government will roll out the Recovery and Resilience Project, which is intended to help us to prepare better for any storms during this hurricane season and going forward, and also to aid in the process of recovery. You will hear more about it very soon,” he said.
He urged citizens to play their part in ensuring preparedness as the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues.
“We can all do our part to ensure that we are prepared as best we can during this hurricane season. The government, we will do our part. And we ask you also to do yours to ensure that we are as prepared as we can be.”
Prime Minister Dr Friday also expressed hope that St. Vincent and the Grenadines would not experience another hurricane like Beryl.
“Heaven forbid that we are ever struck again by a hurricane. God bless,” he said.
END
