Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), underscored the urgent need for enhanced regional resilience to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, while noting that it is imperative to bolster preparedness efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl across several Caribbean states.
Despite proactive measures, Hurricane Beryl exposed the region’s vulnerability, resulting in severe destruction and the urgent need for reconstruction.
Riley emphasized the critical role of building stronger resilience, viewing the hurricane’s impact as a stark warning for future natural disasters.
Riley highlighted ongoing efforts to guide the rebuilding process, emphasizing the adoption of revised building codes to ensure more robust infrastructure.
She noted active support from regional and international partners in the cleanup and reconstruction efforts.
CDEMA remains actively engaged on the ground, conducting assessments and providing crucial support to affected countries.
Riley assured that efforts include engaging with affected households and communities without reports of health outbreaks thus far.