Hurricane Beryl Relief Efforts: How You Can Help

Grenada, along with St. Vincent and the Grenadines, took the brunt of Beryl’s fury in the Windward Islands. CharnwoodPhoto/stock.adobe.com

Relief efforts for Hurricane Beryl are underway in the Caribbean after the storm pounded Carriacou, Petite Martinique and the Grenadines on Wednesday.

Beryl, the first hurricane of 2024, has made headlines for its devastating damage in the Caribbean before more recently making landfall in Texas. The storm began unusually early this year as an exceptionally dangerous category 5 hurricane. The National Weather Service has previously predicted above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year with 4 to 7 major hurricanes.

Following what is expected to be catastrophic damage in Grenada’s islands, Caribbean sailing publisher Doyle Guides has created a list of items needed for relief efforts. Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) has requested the following items:

• Water
• Tarpaulin (100ft, 40x30ft)
• Nonperishable food (powdered milk, canned vegetables, sardines, corn, etc.) that has an expiry date at least 1 year from now.
• Cots & sleeping blankets
• Pillows
• Batteries & battery packs
• Hygiene kits for women, men, and children
• Toiletries
• First aid kits
• Hand sanitizers
• Sanitary napkins
• Baby diapers & wipes
• Baby formula
• Adult diapers
• 5-gallon Jerry cans (water)
• Reflective vests
• Collapsible water bladders (3,000 gallons and bigger)
• Emergency solar/battery-operated radios
• Flashlights (solar)
• Solar lights
• Generators (2,000+ watts)
• Chainsaws + Spare bars & chains (18 – 32-inch blades)
• Fuel cans
• Books/coloring books for children
• Medical supplies (please contact NaDMA in advance about these)

In addition, people on the ground are asking for;

• Hard-bottom shoes to protect against hazardous debris
• Temporary housing (tents, sleeping bags, inflatable beds)
• Water filters (easy to assemble and use)
• Short-range communication devices (VHF radios, walkie-talkies)
• Solar fans, hats, sunglasses, sunblock, long sleeve shirts
• Waterproof containers to store remaining belongings
• Electric wires (3G, 2.5mm)
• Headlights
• Tape
• Gas
• Waterproof bags

Doyle Guides notes that these needs will likely change over time, and sorting donations in advance would be helpful. 

The publication has also compiled a list of relief efforts organized by location and type (monetary or goods). Doyle Guides states that they have not had time to vet any of these efforts, and this is simply a list of those available. 

Additionally, those who decide to sail to affected areas without guidance of an official organization should keep in mind that these islands are still in a state of upheaval, and secure storage and equitable distribution are major concerns. Blindly leaving donations ashore unattended or without direction could result in potential looting and unfair distribution.

As much as we’ve tried to confirm the details on this page with official sources, there are still conflicting reports, even between government officials of the same country,” Doyle Guides states on their website. “Be aware that any aid that you attempt to deliver outside of established organizations like Hope Fleet, NaDMA, MAYAG, and NEMO may be out of line with prevailing government regulations at the time.”

Doyle Guides’ list of relief organizations is available below.

For those sailing abroad

Hope Fleet has partnered with the Seven Seas Cruising Association to organize boats willing to transport humanitarian supplies to the affected areas. Those interested in helping sail to any of the affected areas with donations can sign up here. You will be asked to prepare and provide a list of items you are bringing.

• In St. Vincent & The Grenadines: Please email [email protected] ,who are coordinating yacht-based aid efforts with the St. Vincent National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO). 

• In Carriacou: Yachts with donations can now bring them directly to Carriacou. After Ours / Frog’s restaurant in Tyrell Bay is being set up as a community center with a community kitchen and day care, and is accepting and organizing relief supplies for distribution. 
• You can dock (or use the dinghy dock) at Tyrell Bay Marina to offload donations, but call or WhatsApp Joanna at +1-473-419-6492 in advance to schedule a time for her to meet you. If you are unable to do so, ask for Emma Williams or the NaDMA team at the dock. 
• Please have a detailed list of your donations to give them, and it would be helpful if you could sort donations ahead of time. Please arrive fully self-sufficient with full gas and water tanks.
• Great care should be taken on approach and when anchoring as there is debris everywhere and sunken boats. A PDF map of Carriacou and Petite Martinique with nautical information (created in 2020) is available here.

• In Grenada: The Marine & Yachting Association of Grenada is organizing volunteers, deliveries, and taking donations from Gleans Garage on the Lagoon in Grenada. Email [email protected] if you would like to help transport donations to Carriacou.
• If you would like any assistance upon arrival in Grenada, please contact Caribbean Sailing Association Board Member Brian Sylvester in Grenada at +1 (473) 535-2583.
• Noonsite.com also advises to hail the Coast Guard on channel 16 when you’re within distance of Grenada with your intentions as there have been reports of looting. Great care should be taken on approach and when anchoring as there is debris everywhere and sunken boats.

Local Relief Organizations

• Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) – Elvis Young: 473-419-0199, Terry Charles: 473-420-9207, [email protected], www.nadma.gd, Facebook Page
• Grenada Red Cross – +1 473-404-1483, [email protected], www.grenadaredcross.gd, Facebook Page
• Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency – Keith Goddard, Communications and Public Relations Specialist, (246) 434-4880, [email protected]
• Action Bequia is accepting monetary donations to aid the Grenadines here.

If you are in Grenada

• Grenada’s National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) is accepting items daily at the NaDMA Headquarters in Morne Jaloux, St. George. More info +1 473-440-8391, [email protected]. Facebook post with list of items needed here. 
• MAYAG is organizing volunteers, deliveries, and donations from Gleans Garage on the Lagoon. They are also looking for boats to deliver items. Email email [email protected] or meet at Gleans at 10am any day this week (July 1st). Facebook post here.
• Items can also be delivered to Breakfast Bites on Kirani James Blvdfrom Tuesday to Friday Between 9am and 5pm. To request pickup of items call or Whatsapp Annandale Waterfall & Forest Park / Lady Irie – 473- 421-4320. Facebook post here.

International & Monetary

• GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA NATURAL DISASTER FUND (more info here)

You can now donate through an online payment portal here, or via wire transfer to the accounts listed below.

Beneficiary: Government of Grenada Natural Disaster Relief Fund
Beneficiary Bank: Grenada Co-operative Bank Limited
Swift code: GROAGDGD
Bank address: 8 Church Street St. Georges
Beneficiary A/C #: 121004900

CORRESPONDING BANK FOR USD TRANSACTIONS

Bank Name: Bank of America
Bank Address: Miami, FL
SWIFT: BOFAUS3M
Account No.: 1901964767
ABA #: 026009593

CORRESPONDING BANK FOR CAD TRANSACTIONS

Bank Name: Bank of Montreal
Bank Address: The International Branch, Toronto, Canada
SWIFT: BOFMCAT2
Account #: 1019198
TRANSIT #: 31442 001

CORRESPONDING BANK FOR GBP/EUR TRANSACTIONS

Bank: Lloyds TSB Bank
Address: UK International Services, London, UK
SWIFT: LOYDGB2L
Sort Code: 30-96-34
GBP
Account No.: 01017544
IBAN: GB98LOYD30963401017544
EUR
Account No.: 86161549
IBAN: GB32LOYD30963486161549

• The High Commission for Grenada in the UK is accepting monetary donations to the following account: 

Grenada Disaster Relief Fund
Account Name: Grenada Disaster Relief Fund
Account number: 00584503
Sort Code: 30-92-83

The High Commission will also have a donation desk at Heritage Day scheduled for July 6th at Perth Road Playing Field, White Hart Lane, Wood Green, N22 5QJ. We will be prepared to accept financial donations there, and to provide additional information on the shipment of food and other items to Grenada.

Should you require any additional information, please feel free to contact the Mission at [email protected] or call 02073854415/ 07375330696.

Official notice on the website here.

• Global Giving Hurricane Beryl Relief Fund (tax deductible) is here.

• General GoFundMe campaigns

A general Union Island GoFundMe campaign is here.

A general Mayreau GoFundMe campaign is here.

A general Carriacou & PM GoFundMe campaign is here and here.

The Carriacou Animal Hospital GoFundMe here or PayPal here.

Additional GoFundMe’s are available on Doyle Guides’ original post found here.

Item Donations by Location

• Caribbean – In St. Martin, MV Spirit will be accepting cargo from July 10th – 13 for stops in Dominica, Antigua, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. Contact Tanya from Instant Shipping services at +590-690-65-20-37

In Antigua, Promise Kept Shipping will be accepting cargo July 4th – 6th to go on MV Spirit. Contact +1-268-783-5299

• London, UK – You can donate items and funds to: Mo Better Cuts, 316a Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5NQ …Or….300 Old Brompton Rd, London, SW5 9LB

More info: Saskia, 07572492258, Facebook post here.

Islandwayz Limited UK is also collecting items and will be shipping a few containers of building materials, food, furniture, appliances, and household items from the UK. Closing date is July 15th and they can pickup items within the London area. Call +447456534772 to arrange pickup or for more info. 

They are also accepting monetary donations to go towards purchasing items in the UK, shipping costs, and immediate aid. See the Facebook post here for details. 

• New York, U.S. – You can donate items and funds to; 

July 3rd – 8th to Compass Shipping, 730 Chester St., Brooklyn NY, 11236, (718) 773-5430, 9am – 4pm. Label drop-offs To: Solange Dowden, c/o Valini, Lavish & Wings of Sparrow. Facebook post here.

July 5th – Aug 5th at Nostrad Hall, 713 Nostrad Ave, Brooklyn NY, 11216. Mon- Fri 4pm – 7pm. Contact Natasha for more info 929-386-6037 / 347-322-2347. Facebook post here.

1369 Rockaway Pkwy, Brooklyn NY, 11236. Before dropoff call +1 (347) 371-5443 or WhatsApp 929-428-5328. See Facebook post here.

Irica Frank, 2003 Bergen St, Brooklyn NY, 11233, Contact SpiceKidd (631) 948-8964. Facebook post here.

Camelo (Garz), 963 E 77th St, Brooklyn NY, 11326, Contact SpiceKidd (631) 948-8964. Facebook post here.

HMF Foundation – Whiskeys Shippers & Movers Inc, 4461 East 99th St, Brooklyn NY. More info +1-473-425-1098, [email protected]. Facebook post here.

• New Jersey, U.S. – You can donate items and funds to; 340 Amherst St. East Orange NJ, 07018. Contact SpiceKidd (631) 948-8964. Facebook post here.

• Atlanta, U.S. – You can donate items and funds to; HMF Foundation – 2047 Gees Mill Rd, Suite 226, Conyers GA, 30013. More info +1-473-425-1098, [email protected]. Facebook post here.

• Florida, U.S. – Global Empowerment Mission is accepting item donations Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm at 1850 NW 84th Ave, STE 100, Doral FL, 33126. [email protected]. More info here.

• Canada – You can donate items and funds to; HMF Foundation – 13 Fairglen Ave, Unit 1, Brampton ON, L6X 5E8. More info +1-473-425-1098, [email protected]. Facebook post here.

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