The issue
Hurricane Beryl which struck SVG on July 1, 2024, devastated the Southern Grenadines and severely damaged parts of Bequia, Young Island, and St. Vincent. Among the buildings severely damaged or destroyed were primary and secondary schools and the SVG Community College — 28 in all.
Additionally, and especially, in Union Island hardly any house was spared the wrath of Hurricane Beryl, and modern requisites like electricity and telecommunications facilities were ravaged, to be rebuilt from scratch.
Further, across St. Vincent and the Grenadines today there are 20 schools which are currently housing 559 shelterees, 160 of whom are from Union Island; almost all of the others are from St. Vincent. These shelterees have to be accommodated elsewhere and the repair of the schools effected before they can be reopened for students.
The scheduled opening day for the next school term is September 2, 2024. It is unlikely that many schools will be ready on that day.
Destroyed or severely damaged schools
The destroyed or severely damaged schools are:
(1) Mary Hutchinson Primary School on Union Island: This was completely destroyed; it is being rebuilt but will not be ready for a few more months. It has a population of around 90 students.
(2) Stephanie Browne Primary School on Union Island: this was severely damaged; its repair may be completed by September 9, 2024. It houses some 150 students.
(3) Union Island Secondary School: This was severely damaged. Its repair is being done and is likely to be ready for September 2, 2024. Its enrollment for the new term is 212 students.
(4) Bishops College Kingstown: This was severely damaged. The contractor is at work on it but it is unlikely to be ready before mid-September 2024
The issue
Hurricane Beryl which struck SVG on July 1, 2024, devastated the Southern Grenadines and severely damaged parts of Bequia, Young Island, and St. Vincent. Among the buildings severely damaged or destroyed were primary and secondary schools and the SVG Community College — 28 in all.
Additionally, and especially, in Union Island hardly any house was spared the wrath of Hurricane Beryl, and modern requisites like electricity and telecommunications facilities were ravaged, to be rebuilt from scratch.
Further, across St. Vincent and the Grenadines today there are 20 schools which are currently housing 559 shelterees, 160 of whom are from Union Island; almost all of the others are from St. Vincent. These shelterees have to be accommodated elsewhere and the repair of the schools effected before they can be reopened for students.
The scheduled opening day for the next school term is September 2, 2024. It is unlikely that many schools will be ready on that day.
Destroyed or severely damaged schools
The destroyed or severely damaged schools are:
(1) Mary Hutchinson Primary School on Union Island: This was completely destroyed; it is being rebuilt but will not be ready for a few more months. It has a population of around 90 students.
(2) Stephanie Browne Primary School on Union Island: this was severely damaged; its repair may be completed by September 9, 2024. It houses some 150 students.
(3) Union Island Secondary School: This was severely damaged. Its repair is being done and is likely to be ready for September 2, 2024. Its enrollment for the new term is 212 students.
(4) Bishops College Kingstown: This was severely damaged. The contractor is at work on it but it is unlikely to be ready before mid-September 2024
(2) Georgetown Secondary School:18 shelterees; minor repairs to be done.
(3) Park Hill Government School: 6 shelterees; minor repairs to be effected.
(4) Diamond Government School: 8 shelteeres; minor repairs to be done.
(5) Argyle Government School: 23 shelterees; minor repairs to be done
.
(6) Brighton Methodist School:23 shelterees; major repairs to be done.
(7) Fair Hall Primary School33 shelterees; minor repairs required.
(8) Calliaqua Anglican School:30 shelterees; minor repairs to be done.
(9) Belmont Government School:14 shelterees; significant repairs to be done, including parts of the roof and the ceiling
(10) Sion Hill Government School:15 shelterees. Minor repairs required.
(11) Kingstown Government School
(Stoney Ground):77 shelterees. Significant repairs, especially
due to wear and tear of the use as a shelter with large numbers of persons.
(12) J.P. Eustace Memorial (Edinboro): 79 shleterees. Same situation as Kingstown Government School
(13) Lowmans Leeward Anglican Primary: 31 shelterees.
Minor repairs needed
(14) Bethel High School (Campden Park):9 shelterees. Minor repairs required.
(15) Buccament Bay Secondary School:23 shelterees. Minor repairs plus wear and tear to be addressed.
(16) Petit Bordel Secondary School:13 shelterees. Minor repairs to be done.
(17) Troumaca Secondary School: 8 shelterees. Minor repairs needed.
(18) Bequia Anglican School: 52 shelterees. Minor repairs and excessive wear and tear to be addressed.
(19) Canouan Government School: 50 shelterees. Major repairs nearing completion.
(20) Mayreau Government School:One large family is sheltering. Substantial work to be done on the two small buildings in the compound. [This was addressed earlier]
The minor repairs are expected to take two weeks in each case. The major repairs at Brighton and Belmont will take longer. Those with excessive wear and tear will consume time to be repaired in addition to the pre-existing requisite of minor repairs.
A huge challenge here is to find alternative accommodation for the shelterees.
