Reports on Hurricane Beryl Emergency Relief Fund

Project Report | Jun 16, 2025
Blue Atlas- Hurrican Beryl Relief Update

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Over this past quarter, the Blue Atlas Project has made meaningful strides in our recovery and resilience work in Jamaica through the SULA grant program, which supported farmers and fishermen affected by Hurricane Beryl. We had the privilege of connecting with inspiring individuals like Chelsea, who is working hard to rebuild her family’s fishing business, and Errol, a dedicated tilapia farmer who impressed us with his innovative operation. Errol even created a fantastic video showcasing his farm and the impact of the grant—we look forward to sharing it with you soon. Follow along with us to learn more about what we do and where we work.

In January and March, we met with farmers, cooperatives, and local organizations to better understand the capacity-building needs that could help reduce Jamaica’s dependence on food imports. These conversations helped us identify key gaps in hands-on training, infrastructure, and support that are limiting the growth of sustainable agriculture. The feedback we received is shaping our plans for long-term development and reinforcing the need for on-the-ground resources that directly support local producers.

As a result, we’re excited to move forward with the vision of helping establish a Food Equity and Sustainability Training Center (FEAST) in Jamaica. This center will offer hands-on education in a variety of growing techniques, with a special focus on incorporating aquaculture and mariculture for both trainings and research. With strong partnerships developing, we’re aiming for a launch this fall. Stay tuned for more updates.

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Feb 14, 2025
Hurrican Beryl Relief Update

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Blue Atlas Project: Hurricane Beryl Relief Efforts in Jamaica and Grenada

Overview The Blue Atlas Project remains committed to supporting recovery and resilience in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. Our primary focus has been assisting smallholder farmers and fishers in Jamaica and Grenada through financial aid, infrastructure support, and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices.

SULA Grant Program: Hurricane Beryl Recovery Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, the Blue Atlas Project established the SULA Grant program to provide critical support to affected communities in Jamaica. The program aims to empower farmers and fishers to rebuild their livelihoods while fostering resilience against future climate shocks.

Infrastructure Support: Our work in Grenada has supported the water tanks for irrigation for backyard gardens and systems.

Key Objectives:

Financial Assistance: Distribute funding from our SULA Grant Beryl Fund (currently at $25,000) directly benefiting farmers and fishers across Jamaica
Training Workshops: Conduct climate-smart agriculture workshops covering aquaponics, aquaculture, hurricane preparedness, and sustainable fishing techniques.
Infrastructure Support: Provided materials and labor to assist with the reconstruction of damaged irrigation systems, greenhouses, and fishing equipment.
Sustainable Practices: Encouraged early adoption of sustainable fishing practices, closed loop growing systems and rainwater harvesting systems

Looking Ahead The Blue Atlas Project will continue expanding the SULA Grant program to reach more farmers and fishers in both Jamaica and Grenada. Future efforts will emphasize the adoption of advanced agroecological practices and the development of community-based disaster resilience plans.

Through these targeted relief and recovery efforts, the Blue Atlas Project is helping build a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector across Jamaica and Grenada.

Attachments:

Jamaica SULA Grant Flyer (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Oct 18, 2024
Hurricane Beryl Relief: Carriacou + Jamaica

By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director

Blue Atlas Project: Hurricane Beryl Relief Efforts and Climate-Smart Rebuilding in Jamaica

Overview of Hurricane Beryl’s Impact
Hurricane Beryl caused widespread destruction in Grenada, SVG and Jamaica, particularly affecting rural communities already vulnerable to climate shocks. In response, the Blue Atlas Project has been actively engaged in both immediate relief and assessing long-term rebuilding strategies aimed at fostering resilience in the face of future climate events.

Water Security for Households
One of the immediate priorities in our Hurricane Beryl relief efforts has been addressing water scarcity, especially as the dry season approaches. We are pleased to report that a shipment of 600-gallon water tanks has just arrived in Carriacou. These tanks will be distributed to households in the most affected areas, ensuring they have adequate water storage capacity to navigate the upcoming dry season. By securing access to clean water, we are helping these communities prepare for the longer-term impacts of the hurricane, improving their ability to withstand drought conditions and provide irrigation for household gardens.

Ongoing Climate-Smart Agricultural Rebuilding
As Grenada has rebounded quite quickly, we have shifted our focus for Beryl relief to Jamaica. The Blue Atlas Project is conducting ongoing assessments to identify the best strategies for climate-smart agricultural rebuilding. Jamaica’s agricultural sector is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and rebuilding efforts must take into account sustainable farming practices that can increase both food security and environmental resilience.

Our assessments focus on identifying the crops, techniques, and resources that will allow farmers to adapt to shifting weather patterns while restoring their livelihoods. These efforts include training on sustainable farming techniques, such as closed-loop systems, regenerative techniques and aquaponics.

Partnerships and Local Collaboration
The success of our relief and rebuilding initiatives is rooted in close collaboration with local partners, government agencies, and community leaders. By working with local agricultural experts, we are ensuring that the rebuilding process aligns with the specific needs of Jamaica’s farmers and rural communities. This approach also ensures that climate-smart techniques are tailored to local ecosystems and are more likely to succeed in the long term.

Looking Ahead
The Blue Atlas Project remains committed to supporting the recovery of communities affected by Hurricane Beryl through ongoing efforts in climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture. As we continue our assessments and distribute vital resources, our goal is to support and foster stronger, more resilient communities through increased food security—prepared not only for the dry season but for future climate challenges.

We invite volunteers and partners to join us in this critical mission. Together, we can ensure that all the communities impacted by the 2024 Hurricane season are not only recovering but building back better.