IAG Cargo aids Grenada post-Beryl

September 9, 2024

IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group, is collaborating with the Grenada Overseas Association Manchester, All Saints Parish Church Bedford, and the Grenada High Commission in the UK to deliver aid to Grenada following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1. In early August, a British Airways 777 transported critical supplies to Maurice Bishop International Airport, including first aid kits, water purification systems, bedding, non-perishable food, and hygiene supplies. These items, facilitated by IAG Cargo, are essential for addressing urgent needs in housing, agriculture, and infrastructure recovery.

Hurricane Beryl

Hurricane Beryl in 2024 was a catastrophic event for Grenada, especially for its smaller islands, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. The hurricane made landfall as a Category 4 storm, later intensifying to a Category 5, making it the first such hurricane of the season and the earliest Category 5 on record in the Atlantic.

The destruction was severe: approximately 95% of the housing on Carriacou and Petit Martinique was destroyed, with most roofs torn off and the electrical and communication infrastructure was almost completely wiped out. The islands also faced the destruction of desalination plants, cell towers and fibre optic cables, leaving them without essential services. In total, the damage was described as “complete devastation,” with agriculture and the natural environment being utterly destroyed. The storm also resulted in multiple fatalities, including at least three in Grenada.

The recovery efforts have been complicated by rough seas and damaged transportation infrastructure, but aid has started to arrive from neighbouring countries and international organisations.

Swift action

“IAG Cargo is committed to swift action during humanitarian crises,” stated John Cheetham, chief commercial officer. “Leveraging our global network, we are proud to collaborate with charities to deliver essential aid to Grenada and I’m thankful to our team who have worked to support this effort.”

Grenadian diaspora

High Commissioner for Grenada, Her Excellency Rachér Croney profoundly thanked all involved in making this donation a reality commenting, “without the efforts of Grenadians in the diaspora answering the call and rising to the challenge this could not have been possible and we certainly could not have done it without the partnerships and philanthropic contributions of international organisations such as IAG Cargo. We are thankful for their assistance and generosity during our time of need.”

Significant efforts

IAG Cargo has previously supported other significant efforts, including 125 tonnes of aid shipments with the British Red Cross to Ukraine, the donation of 3,000 cricket items to Pakistan following the flooding crisis and the skeleton cast movement of the world’s largest dinosaur ahead of the Natural History Museum’s exhibition.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.