Caribbean Leaders Urge UK for ‘Marshall Plan’ Post-Hurricane Beryl

Following the devastation of Hurricane Beryl, Caribbean leaders have appealed to the UK for a “Marshall plan” to aid reconstruction efforts. The hurricane, which struck on July 1, claimed 11 lives and caused widespread destruction, leaving thousands homeless in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

Prime ministers from Antigua and Barbuda, SVG, and Grenada have written to UK officials, highlighting the financial strain from recurrent hurricanes and proposing a comprehensive recovery plan. This plan, inspired by the post-WWII Marshall Plan, would include debt cancellation, cheaper loans, debt restructuring, and grants for climate-related damages.

The letter, addressed to the British government, calls for immediate debt cancellation through a prearranged mechanism that activates automatically in the event of a qualifying disaster. The Caribbean leaders warned that their countries cannot sustain the rising debt from continuous rebuilding efforts.

Scott Furssedonn-Wood, the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, commented, “I haven’t seen the letter yet, but I understand the call for a Marshall Plan. The UK government, in office for just a month, is still considering these issues. I hope to discuss this with the foreign secretary soon.”

Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “The Caribbean clearly needs assistance. The impact of Hurricane Beryl, along with previous storms, shows the urgency for climate financing. The process must be streamlined to provide timely economic and financial support, similar to what was offered to Europe after WWII.”

The letter was sent as Caribbean countries sought help in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage and loss of life. During the CARICOM summit, leaders discussed climate change impacts, the need for the Loss and Damage Fund, changes to the Regional Insurance Scheme, and access to financing for rebuilding.