In response to the devastation left by Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, Broward County officials are taking concrete action to aid affected Caribbean nations. The powerful storm caused fatalities and widespread damage to Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, before pushing onwards to Mexico and Texas. Local Caribbean elected women, District 9 County Commissioner Hazelle P. Rogers, Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis, and State Representative Lisa Dunkley are spearheading a meeting on July 9, 2024, to coordinate relief efforts, as reported by Broward County's official press release.
The special meeting will be held at the Broward County Governmental Center to discuss strategic aid and raise awareness about the hurricane's impacts. Scheduled participants include Broward County Mayor Nan Rich and Consuls General from the Caribbean, community and business leaders, along with other community members. Rogers expressed the county's commitment to provide assistance stating, "Hurricane Beryl has brought unimaginable destruction to our Caribbean neighbors, and it is our duty to respond with compassion and support," in a press release issued by Broward County.
Monica Cepero, the County Administrator, is initiating a humanitarian aid campaign that enables County employees to contribute through payroll deductions. Contributions are crucial as they allow relief organizations to purchase necessary supplies and facilitate timely aid delivery. Cepero indicated that the campaign details will be released later in the week and emphasized Broward County employees' longstanding history of supporting those in crisis, particularly as many employees have family and friends in the Caribbean directly affected by the hurricane.
Adding to the relief efforts, Port Everglades is waiving tariff charges for shipments of emergency and humanitarian supplies and services on behalf of charitable or governmental organizations to the areas hit by the storm. Tariff charges up to $50,000 may be waived under certain conditions, this, to aid relief operations where the supplies are donated voluntarily or provided by agencies. Ocean carriers that operate under discounted rates may also benefit from reduced tariff rates, according to the information provided by the Port. For eligibility and further inquiries, carriers are instructed to present a manifest and certified statement to Port Everglades, which can be contacted for more information at 954-468-3527 or via email at [email protected].
