Trinidad and Tobago’s disaster relief efforts for its Caribbean neighbours ravaged by Hurricane Beryl continues, with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) of the Ministry of National Security (MNS), helping to support and coordinate the relief efforts.
The ODPM issued a statement today, reporting on relief missions to the impacted islands operationalised since July 2, 2024—less than 24 hours after Beryl’s passage—noting that its coordination efforts continue with all relevant stakeholders. The ODPM is the key coordinating agency from the Ministry of National Security.
According to the ODPM, since Tuesday this week, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) has been provided to St Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique.
The agency reports:
● The Air Guard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), along with the ODPM, conducted aerial reconnaissance on July 2, 2024, to provide CDEMA with information on the extent of damage to the Islands.
● Two vessels loaded with supplies left the Port of Port of Spain early in the morning of July 3, 2024, for Grenada. A third vessel was earmarked for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
● Through a request from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the ODPM’s Operations Manager, a Regional Coordinator, as well as representatives of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Water and Sewage Authority (WASA), will deploy to Carriacou and Petit Martinique on July 4, 2024, to provide support to the islands. This deployment is being facilitated by the Air Guard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF).