The Ripple Effect of Kindness – WFP Cash Helps Man Support His Community  

“It was a destruction that we couldn’t have imagined would have taken place on our island in our lifetime. We have heard and seen those things on television, but to have the firsthand experience, it literally blew you away. You were wondering if you were on the same island that you were on three hours ago. We saw the mountain, but the mountain was bare, there was no form of vegetation,” sitting outside his store, Fitzgerald Hutchinson had a solemn look, as he reflected on Hurricane Beryl’s wrath. The category 4 storm brought devastation to his home on Union Island, one of the islands that make Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  

Fitz, like so many on Union Island, lost nearly everything when Hurricane Beryl tore through, damaging 90 percent of homes. His own roof ripped away, forcing his family to seek shelter at his parents’ home. He then generously opened their doors to others in need. Fitz's store, miraculously spared, became a lifeline. Without hesitation, he emptied his shelves, sharing food with friends and family, knowing they had nowhere else to turn. This act of selfless giving, however, left his store bare and uncertain of how he would be able to recover this loss. Weeks later, the World Food Programme (WFP) provided a crucial solution. Through a partnership with the Union Island Environmental Alliance (UIEA), Fitz earned temporary work clearing debris. This income wasn't just about personal finances; he was able to replenish his store's stock, allowing him to continue supporting his community's recovery. His generosity, and love for others was a beacon of hope in a shaken community. 

With significant damage to infrastructure, families were uncertain of how they would repair their lives and get on the road to recovery. For many the cash they earned from the programme was a lifeline. In addition to the financial relief, for Mazani Defreitas, who lost her sea moss farming operation to Beryl, the work programme was much more. 

 “For us women, I think we got a sense of purpose. We bonded together as we worked. When it was done, I actually missed going,” she said 

While people found employment, the programme was also critical for Union Island’s most famous creatures. Home to the Union Island gecko and the pink rhino iguana, Chatham Bay, and surrounding forest, were especially in focus when the cleanup work started. Head of the UIEA, Katrina Coy, was fearful that with the loss of vegetation, there could be increased poaching of the iguana especially. She and her team used the cleanup effort to also encourage people to not to cause any harm to the protected species.  

“This area is very important to us because of the number of species that are found here, and we really want to cherish it,” Katrina Coy 

Following the cleanup programme, WFP supported efforts to protect wildlife and encouraged continued environmental restoration on Union Island which is key to tourism a major source of income for the residents.  In the overall response to Hurricane Beryl, WFP worked with the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, local and international non-governmental organizations to offer people resources for their immediate recovery. Thanks to the Government of Canada and this vital project, Union Island stands stronger and more unified, bridging the gap between disaster and recovery while safeguarding its precious environment for generations to come.