Nancy Drolet, founder of One Caribbean Canada, says Global Medic is recognized as a preferred charity where Canadians can either volunteer in person or make financial contributions.

The site also has suggestions on what items are most needed to help those in Grenada and St. Vincent and The Grenadines, where many have lost their homes and belongings.

Drolet headed up the Caribbean Tourism Organization in Canada before it shut down in 2019.

“We are constantly updating the website with new, pertinent and most importantly, accurate information. We invite Canadians to visit https://onecaribbeancanada.ca/hurricane-updates/ and then help – either by volunteering at Global Medic or by donating tarpaulins or blankets or by making financial contributions so that most needed items can be purchased.  We want to thank Canadians for their wonderful words of support and encouragement and look forward to welcoming them back to our islands soon,” said Drolet.

She added that although Hurricane Beryl has indeed been a deadly, strong storm, “Beryl has not impacted all Caribbean countries and the best way to help these islands is to continue to travel to them.”

While travel advisors, tour operators and other members of the travel industry are familiar with the Caribbean’s geography, many travellers are not.

Says Drolet: “It’s important to understand the geography of the Caribbean and that there are 30+ countries in the region. A country may be made up of multiple islands: for example, Grenada is made up of three islands, Grenada itself, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. While Carriacou and Petite Martinique were severely damaged, the main island of Grenada where most Canadians visit, was virtually unscathed.”

In the same vein, St. Vincent and The Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands, and while some of its southernmost islands were severely damaged (Union Island, Palm Island, Petit St. Vincent, Canouan and Mayreau in particular), “the main island of St. Vincent had little damage in comparison,” notes Drolet.

She adds that although many of the countries in the Windward Islands in the Lesser Antilles experienced heavy rains and wind damage, only a few experienced severe damage to their infrastructure.

Meanwhile in Jamaica, clean up has already begun in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril – all areas that had minor impact, so it is business as usual. Assessments of damages on the south coast of Jamaica are still forthcoming.

“The Caribbean has had storms before and are resilient.  Where needed, they will build again always with a view to rebuilding using all the newest building codes to ensure less damage occurs with future storms.  But now our thoughts turn to how we can help the areas that have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl.  Canadians have always had close ties with the Caribbean region, and we hope that we can count on their support even though times are tough for everyone,” says Drolet.

To find out how to help check out https://onecaribbeancanada.ca/hurricane-updates/.