Afreximbank donates over US$500,000 to Caribbean to recover from Hurricane Beryl

The African Export-Import Bank, commonly known as Afreximbank, have extended their support to Caribbean nations to rebuild after the disaster caused by Hurricane Beryl. The bank administration announced the donation of over half a million US dollars to the island nations that were hard-hit.

The information was shared to the public by Afreximbank officials with a press release on Wednesday, 04 September. In the release, the bank mentioned the details of disaster relief and rebuilding aid for the faced devastation.

The bank highlighted the destruction caused in the Caribbean nations like Carriacou and Petite Martinique by Hurricane Beryl. Afreximbank stated that the aid will also heal the severe situation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, including Union Island and Mayreau.

The focus will also be on the regions of Saint Lucia and Barbados that were impacted by the hurricane to a lesser extent. However, the donations will be contributed as per the requirement of the regions and on the basis of the necessity of the time to bring people’s lives on track.

The Acting Chief Operating Officer of Afreximbank Caribbean Office, Okechukwu Ihejirika, delivered a letter of solidarity to the Prime Ministers of the four nations: Carriacou, Petite Martinique, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Union Island and Mayreau.

The letter was given to the PMs that came directly from the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Prof. Benedict Oramah. In the letter, Benedict Oramah mentioned that the bank will stand with them during this difficult time, which is also significant for them.

In the letter, it was also highlighted that the impacted island states are part of those eleven CARICOM members that are participants and stakeholders for the Afreximbank. The partnership was shaped under a treaty signed with a mutual agreement between CARICOM Members and Afreximbank.

Afreximbank President Oramah added in his words, “The news of the hurricane’s impact has deeply saddened us, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by that devastating event. However, the strength and resilience of Caribbean people is well-known; we have no doubt that these qualities will shine through during this difficult period.”

The bank also stated in its statement on the donation to the Caribbean islands that it will keep taking proactive steps for the betterment and help of partner countries in such situations. They are actively taking major steps to deal with health emergencies and global climate.

Bank stated that their collaboration with their partners is more than just delivering on development mandate and its trade. The focus is on the intensity and rising frequency of climate change along with health disasters in the region of the Caribbean and Africa.