Open Letter to the UK Foreign Secretary - Hurricane Beryl
On 12 July 2024, the Society of Caribbean Lawyers sent an open letter to the Rt Hon Mr David Lammy (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom), highlighting the profound impact of Hurricane Beryl on the Caribbean region and emphasising the urgent need for sustained humanitarian aid and climate-focused financing to support the region in its recovery efforts.
We have published a copy of the letter below.
Dear Mr Lammy,
Open Letter – Congratulations and Support for those Affected by Hurricane Beryl
We write to you on behalf of the Society of Caribbean Lawyers, a network of legal professionals across the UK diaspora and the Caribbean, first to congratulate you on your historic appointment as Foreign Secretary. This is a pivotal moment in history for our Caribbean community and we are pleased to offer our support in any way that we can.
Given the events of the last week however, we also write on behalf of our Caribbean citizens who have been seriously and adversely affected by Hurricane Beryl.
On 29 June 2024, Hurricane Beryl became the first Category 4 storm to ever form in the Atlantic Ocean in the month of June. On 30 June 2024, it developed into a Category 5 storm, becoming the earliest hurricane of that strength ever seen in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation. The hurricane is the most powerful one to ever cross the Windward Islands, which consist of Grenada, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has also had significant impact on St Lucia, Barbados, and Jamaica.
In its wake, Hurricane Beryl has left unimaginable destruction. For instance, the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have seen damage and destruction to an estimated 98% of their buildings, which altogether house between 9,000 and 10,000 people, including Carriacou's main health facility, the Princess Royal Hospital, its airport, and marinas. Thousands across the Caribbean are left without power or water, as fallen trees and utility poles litter flooded streets. Agriculture across the islands have also been destroyed, and many individuals are without water. Hurricane Beryl also brought winds of up to 130mph (215km/h) in Jamaica leaving thousands without power and homeless. Various parts of the Cayman Islands were also destroyed.
There is no doubt that the ongoing climate crisis has contributed to Hurricane Beryl's record-breaking status as the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded.
According to scientists, the frequency of the most severe and damaging tropical storms has risen due to climate breakdown caused by humans, as warmer oceans enhance their power and intensity. Scientists have explained that human-caused climate breakdown has increased the occurrence of the most intense and destructive tropical storms, due to exceptionally high sea surface temperatures which provide more energy and increase the hurricanes’ strength.
As you have acknowledged in the past, we cannot address climate change without also considering the issues of racial, social, and intergenerational justice. The impact of the destruction caused by these storms are exacerbated in Caribbean countries due to the inadequate funds and aid made available to them. Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC echoed these sentiments recently – noting that "damage of these shocks is deepened by the lack of adequate financial support. Small island states, which have done the least to cause this climate crisis and have contributed only 1% of all global carbon dioxide emissions, struggle to unlock climate finance. In 2019, they had access to only $1.5bn out of the $100bn pledged to developing countries."
On 3 July 2024, the EU released €450,000 in humanitarian aid following the impact of Hurricane Beryl to address the most urgent needs of the affected populations in Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Of the G7, the UK, has the strongest connection to the Caribbean and as you are well aware, there is a significant Caribbean diaspora living and contributing to the economy of the UK. We are grateful for the initial provision of up to £500,000 that you have allocated to the impacted states as Foreign Secretary. However, we acknowledge that deliberate, focused continuing support will be crucial in securing the long-term recovery and restoration of the damaged infrastructure and economies of the islands affected by Hurricane Beryl.
The Caribbean urgently needs serious and sustained commitments from the UK, and it is our desire that the UK plays a leadership role in any relief and mitigation efforts.
Will you assure us that, as Foreign Secretary, you will prioritise the provision of ongoing humanitarian assistance and climate-related sustainable financing for our countries?
We believe that it is the right time to reset the relationship between Britain and the Commonwealth Caribbean and we are confident that this initiative will be the right place to begin.
Yours faithfully,
The Society of Caribbean Lawyers
