The St. Vincent government has initiated a comprehensive housing relocation program for displaced residents of Union Island who remain in temporary rental accommodations on the mainland since Hurricane Beryl devastated the region in July 2024. Prime Minister Godwin Friday announced the urgent initiative during his Christmas Eve address on Boom FM, emphasizing that returning islanders to their communities constitutes a critical component of the nation’s recovery strategy.
The catastrophic hurricane, which struck on July 1, 2024, destroyed over 90% of structures across the Southern Grenadines islands of Mayreau, Canouan and Union Island, forcing thousands to evacuate to St. Vincent. While the previous Unity Labour Party government provided temporary housing and repaired damaged homes, Prime Minister Friday criticized the pace of recovery as insufficiently slow.
“We are addressing this problem with utmost urgency,” stated Friday, whose New Democratic Party assumed power after November’s general election. “Now that infrastructure including electricity, roads, and telecommunications has been largely restored, we must facilitate the return of displaced citizens to their preferred communities.”
The administration is collaborating with Housing Minister Andrew John and Education officials to develop practical solutions, including potentially utilizing prefabricated housing units or constructing temporary shelters using local materials. Approximately 100 prefabricated houses imported by the previous government have encountered implementation challenges due to unsuitable terrain conditions on the islands.
Concurrently, the government will close the temporary educational facility at Arnos Vale’s former Teachers’ College campus, where Union Island students had been accommodated. Most students have already returned to their original schools, with remaining pupils being integrated into other educational institutions nationwide.
Prime Minister Friday highlighted the multidimensional nature of the crisis, noting that many displaced individuals face employment shortages alongside housing insecurity. “The previous approach created a limbo situation where people lacked permanent housing, stable employment, and consistent government support,” he observed. “Our strategy addresses both housing and economic needs simultaneously to ensure sustainable recovery.”