Virgin Atlantic is delighted to announce the appointment of Sean Edwards as its new Country Manager for the Caribbean. With extensive experience in the airline and travel industries, Sean is set to lead Virgin Atlantic’s operations and drive growth in one of the airline’s most strategically important regions.

Returning to Virgin Atlantic after five years, Sean previously led the Loyalty and Travel department at Sandals Barbados and played a pivotal role as Commercial Manager for the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. In his new role, Sean will oversee teams in Barbados and steer the commercial success of Virgin Atlantic throughout the Caribbean, ensuring the airline continues to deliver exceptional service and operational excellence for its customers.

Simon Hawkins, Vice President Americas Virgin Atlantic , commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Sean back to the Virgin Atlantic family and to my team. His exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and deep understanding of our brand make him the ideal person to build on our successes and drive continued growth. I’m confident that under his guidance, we will strengthen our performance and seize new opportunities to expand our presence and partnerships in the region.”

Sean Edwards, Country Manager for the Caribbean, expressed his excitement: “I am incredibly excited to be returning to Virgin Atlantic and stepping into this new role. Leading such a dynamic and passionate team is truly an honor, and I’m eager to collaborate closely with our valued customers and trade partners. Together, we will continue to drive exceptional results, strengthen our relationships, and further solidify Virgin Atlantic’s position as the airline of choice in the Caribbean. I look forward to building on our successes and delivering record-breaking performance in the region.”

The Caribbean is a cornerstone of Virgin Atlantic’s global network, and Sean’s leadership will be key to strengthening partnerships and exploring new opportunities across the islands. This October, Virgin Atlantic proudly celebrates 26 years of flying between London and Barbados. The airline continues to expand its services, with both the A350 and A330neo now serving the Barbados route, demonstrating its commitment to providing modern, efficient, and comfortable air travel.

In addition to the long-standing London-Barbados flights, Virgin Atlantic’s inter-island services from Barbados to Grenada and St Vincent offer even more opportunities for local and international traveller’s to experience the beauty and vibrancy of the Caribbean

Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) has made a cash contribution of US$100,000 or approximately EC$270,000 from its Emergency Disaster Assistance Facility (EDAF) to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to assist in recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, 2024.

The initial grant contribution will support the efforts of the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the removal and transportation of the massive debris field left in the hurricane’s aftermath on the three Grenadine islands of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island.

The cash support will directly finance sea transportation of the debris for safe recycling in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago.

The immediate removal of the debris is critical to the recovery due to the protection of the fragile ecosystems, the establishment of access corridors to deliver relief and the shortage of appropriate disposal sites on the islands.

Hurricane Beryl impacted St. Vincent and the Grenadines as a Category 4 storm in early July, causing damage, especially on the Grenadines islets of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island

It caused damage to houses, schools, churches, commercial buildings, health facilities, and public buildings. Three (3) deaths were reported as directly attributable to hurricane’s impact on the island state.

The EDAF is a quick response facility created by the CDF to respond to natural or man-made events which cause widespread contagion, injury or death; damage to property, infrastructure or the environment, as well as disruption of livelihoods, and are of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of an affected disadvantaged country, region or sector within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) to cope with its effects using only its own resources.

The CDF is also working with the affected Member States to support the early restoration of livelihoods. The CDF is an institution of the Caribbean Community which is mandated to provide financial and technical assistance to disadvantaged countries, regions, sectors, and communities. It is central to promoting regional cohesion by addressing disparities among the Member States of CARICOM, resulting from the implementation of the CSME and arising from external shocks.

Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

USA, October 7, 2024 – It seems to have caught too many people off guard, Hurricane Helene was for days racing toward Florida’s Big Bend with deadly force, making landfall on September 26, 2024 as a Category 4 storm with a wall of water forecast to stand as high as 20 feet.

Still those harrowing details were not enough to get those in vulnerable areas out, this included the Barrier Islands where residents were mandated to evacuate.  Though they were asked to leave for higher ground, some remained and shockingly, the headline grabbing updates on Hurricane Helene’s approach did not catch everyone’s attention.

Incredible accounts of relatives who were unaware of the hurricane’s existence and others who were waiting for their employers to instruct them on whether or not to evacuate are surfacing now.  Family and friends along with officials have mounted search parties, requested prayers and are left wondering and waiting as the death toll rises by the day.

Cherished homes are smashed, the only evidence they ever existed are the massive debris fields strewn about streets or seen floating aimlessly atop bodies of water, which have flooded some communities from nearby rivers; waters dangerously tinged with gasoline and other chemicals after they rose to over 9 ft in some cases, completely submerging homes and businesses.

The jaw-dropping devastation has become a tourist attraction, forcing officials to ask drivers to stay away from the hardest hit regions so that important help and supplies can get through quickly to desperate residents.

Up to 8 p.m. on Saturday October 5, media reports were that 227 people had been killed in the United States in the hurricane.

CNN shared, 113 people were confirmed dead in North Carolina; 48 in South Carolina; 33 in Georgia; 20 in Florida; Tennessee had 11 killed and two in Virginia.

Many are still missing, the worst is now presumed.  Electricity has still not been restored to just under half a million people, while aide and personnel to support humanitarian support in this crisis are still coming.

Earlier in the week, rescues were rampant; now it’s more of a recovery effort.  Too many were cut off when rivers rose to beyond historic levels and when storm surge waters overwhelmed homes.  Survivors are having a rough time facing supply shortages, while enduring excruciatingly long lines for basic essentials like water and fuel and food.

Many, in tears told reporters they are tired and hungry and want to see their families.  They are also out of cash.

Images of the devastation are heart breaking and on any newscast, viewers watch horrified at the level of destruction and moved by the emotional updates from officials and first responders. Choking back tears, it is clear those whose job it is to get to the disaster first are deeply grieved by the scope of loss.

It is estimated the damage due to Hurricane Helene will be at least $30 billion dollars in the US.  It is the second deadliest hurricane in 50 years to hit the United States.