By Admin. Updated 11:12 a.m., Thursday, September 19, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
The SeaMoss Association of St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SMASVG) has launched a vital recovery project for women in the Grenadines impacted by Hurricane Beryl.
In a September 18 press release, the organization said the recovery project called – “Rebuilding Infrastructure and Recovery Support in the Aftermath of Hurricane Beryl” was launched, virtually, on September 16.
The project, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), aims to provide critical support to 10 vulnerable women in the sea moss industry who were severely impacted by Hurricane Beryl, the SeaMoss Association said.
“Following an open call for submissions, 10 vulnerable women in the Grenadines were selected to participate in this recovery project. The CFLI project is designed to offer comprehensive support to the sea moss community by Rebuilding small businesses: Assisting participants in restoring and revitalizing their sea moss businesses, which were significantly disrupted by Hurricane Beryl,” the press release stated.
The project also seeks to provide emotional support to the affected sea moss business people by offering essential psychosocial support to assist participants in their recovery from trauma and cope with the challenges experience, the release stated.
Additionally, the project aims to enhance business acumen and offer financial training: Enhancing participants’ business skills and financial management through targeted training and workshops, and promote networking and instilling best practices by establishing a network of support to share knowledge and best practices within the industry, the release stated.
“The virtual project launch, held on Monday, September 16, 2024, brought together government officials, partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries who shared insights on the impact of Hurricane Beryl on the local sea moss industry and the CFLI project’s objectives over the next five months,” the release stated.
It said: “Notable participants included Hon. Benarva Browne, Minister of Urban Development, Energy, Seaports, Grenadines Affairs and Local Government, Miriam van Nie, Political Counsellor, High Commission of Canada to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard – Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour, Orisha Joseph – Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Grenadines Inc., Temora Garnes, mentor and advocate for vulnerable women, and Deputy Director of National Commission of Crime Prevention SVG.
Political Counsellor Miriam van Nie shared,“Canada is glad to be able to support this work, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, to rebuild in an industry with huge potential for small producers and one that is vulnerable to climate change and the unpredictability of natural disasters. We hope that this initiative contributes to building back more sustainably.”
Minister Benarva Browne emphasized the importance of collaboration and support stating, “The recovery of our communities and industries is a collective effort. This project exemplifies the strength and resilience of our people and the solidarity we must maintain to overcome these challenges,” the release stated.
“Established in 2023, SMASVG is a grassroots community-based non-profit dedicated to securing a consistent and sustainable supply chain for Vincentian sea moss. The organisation aims to ensure the traceability and sustainability of Vincentian sea moss; address the challenges faced by local harvesters and suppliers; empower members to run their sea moss businesses in an environmentally sustainable manner; enhance financial resilience in a volatile market; and, promote compliance with international standards,” the press release stated.
The organisers said the project is a beacon of hope and resilience for the women of the Grenadines, who are at the heart of the sea moss industry, adding that, “It represents, not only a chance to rebuild, but also an opportunity to advance and thrive in the face of adversity”.
One News SVG 