No one expected a Category 5 hurricane this early, though the Caribbean was already bracing for an active hurricane season. Hurricane Beryl approached the Caribbean in June, just as the hurricane season began; this was a rare occurrence.
The timing of the hurricane's approach was critical. The new Crisis Preparedness and Response toolkit had recently been approved, with the Climate Resilient Debt Clause (CRDC) at its core. Designed to help small, vulnerable nations defer loan payments in the wake of natural disasters, the clause was ready to be rolled out—but had not yet been signed by any country.
With Beryl intensifying from "bad weather" to a Category 4 hurricane in a very short period, World Bank colleagues found themselves racing against time.
Here are firsthand accounts of colleagues who, against all odds, accomplished the seemingly impossible—signing the critical debt clauses right in the midst of the storm.
"Shifting Gears"—Federico Baechli, Sr. Operations Officer (Country Representative for Barbados, Belize, and Caribbean Overseas Countries & Territories)
"My mission to Barbados was about 'shifting gears'. I arrived on the island to welcome Ajay Banga's visit. Within 48 hours, the focus shifted entirely to the approaching Hurricane Beryl and to a mad scramble to get the new Debt Clause signed before impact."
"I spent most of my time in meetings with the Prime Minister's teams working on reviewing the CRDC. Beryl was expected to make landfall the following day. On Sunday evening, hours before Beryl arrived, Barbados signed the CRDC—the first country to do so!"
"When we awoke on Monday morning, there was no power or water. The south coast had flooded and there was structural damage to buildings. 240 fishing vessels were damaged or destroyed and part of Bridgetown Port was damaged."
"After signing with Barbados, my focus shifted to securing Belize's signature—it too could have been in Beryl's path within days. By Monday afternoon, Belize had signed; no small feat given there was no power or wi-fi at my hotel. My poor iPhone has never worked so hard. Within a week, we also agreed with Barbados on preparing a $65m emergency recovery project."
"Pray For Us"—Ricardo Habalian Sr., Operations Officer (Country Representative for Grenada, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and Grenadines)
"I woke up at 7 a.m. on Sunday with a phone call from Grenada's Director of Economic Development sounding clearly worried that Hurricane Beryl might strike Grenada next day wanting our help for their CAT DDO drawdown."
"In difficult days that followed we worked around clock signing Climate Resilient Debt Clause amendments enabling governments suspend repayments World Bank credits during disaster."
"For Grenada CAT DDO contingent financing draw-down $20m triggered which country now using respond damage."
"Saint Vincent and Grenadines suffered damages estimated around 19 percent GDP became first trigger clause release much-needed liquidity response efforts preparing Emergency Response Project $63m respond recover disaster."
"The hurricane was following me"—Penny Bowen Sr., Communications Officer
"Soon after arriving in Barbados colleagues advised mission canceled should leave soon as possible."
"I made it last flight day prior airport closing several days strange feeling being Barbadian being there mission based Jamaica leaving family friends behind."
"In Jamaica learned now Category 5 heading Jamaica next manager joked following me."
"Saw colleagues action one remained working clock having new Climate Resilience Debt Clause signed others supporting other countries path doing same several items toolkit support vulnerable countries WhatsApp chat took life own."
"It first time weathered alone preparations responsibility thankful management gave us time get ready constantly checked Kingston offices based spared much impact but other parts impacted seeing many colleagues jump help left nothing pride."
"While everyone is panicking we are planning"—Keisha Gebre Security Specialist
"I was preparing Ajay Banga visit when heard mission canceled storm approaching raced airport all flights booked returned hotel ride out storm."
"The hotel took precautions moving guests safer rooms as Security Specialist wished leave keen observe how island managed emergencies."
"Hurricane hit causing significant damage flooding hotel without power two days generators not used during storm power dining area afterward allowing charge phones use laptops."
"Beryl path shifted toward Jamaica duty station Caribbean hub responsible ensuring office staff prepared potential impact coordinating preparations sending notifications answering questions making necessary calls answering calls worried family friends."
"In line work important aspect staying calm under pressure while everyone panicking planning fortunately deviated slightly sparing direct hit southern parts experienced worst flooding severe roof damage downed trees power lines."
Results achieved:
Six CRDCs were signed over weekend during Hurricane by:
St Vincent and Grenadines
Barbados
Saint Lucia
Grenada
Belize
The Bahamas
Two emergency operations prepared going Board:
SVG Emergency Response operation $63m
Barbados Emergency Response operation $65m
Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility supported by World Bank other donors provided over $85m insurance payouts region aftermath Hurricane.