A $20,000 cheque was handed over from the Government to help with relief and recovery efforts in countries affected by Hurricane Beryl.

David Burt presented the funds to Frank Dublin, representing Grenada, Douglas Joslyn, representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, and to Donna Millington and Destinee Taylor Williams, of the Jamaican Association.

The Premier earlier pledged to support islands affected by the storm that battered the Caribbean.

He was joined by Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, Christopher Famous, the MP for Devonshire East, as well as J’hordon Emery, of St George’s University, Grenada, Anil Chatergoon, the president of the West Indian Association, and Grace Imani Duncan-Price, a former Jamaican senator.

A government spokeswoman said: “Residents will be aware that Hurricane Beryl made landfall in the Caribbean as a dangerous Category 4 storm on July 1, causing significant destruction and impacting thousands of people.

“At the time of Beryl's impact, Premier Burt pledged that the Government of Bermuda would make a donation towards the relief effort to assist those affected by the storm.”

The Premier said: “It was heartening to provide some measure of support to the relief and recovery efforts post-Hurricane Beryl.

“Beryl affected Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tobago, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica resulting in fatalities, injuries and extensive infrastructural damage.

“Countless homes have been damaged or destroyed in the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique of Grenada, and Union Island of St Vincent and the Grenadines. And many are in need of basic necessities such as food and shelter.

“So, in some small way, we wanted to assist our Caricom member and associate members.

“We will continue to keep these affected countries in our prayers and in our hearts as they grapple with the monumental recovery efforts that lie ahead.”

The spokeswoman added: “It should be noted that each year $50,000 is placed in the Government Budget for regional disaster support to assist Caricom countries if needed.”