by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN) – The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) has provided financial support in the form of a grant of approximately EC$6 million (US$2,209,000) to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines following the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano.
CCRIF CEO, Mr. Isaac Anthony said the support is expected to enhance resilience to current and future natural hazards.
Additionally, in their first quarter newsletter, CCRIF reported that the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be another active one. More than 16 named tropical storms are expected and at least 7 are forecast to become hurricanes and at least 3 major hurricanes.
Compared to the 30-year average, a forecast from Accuweather indicates that 2021 could be an above-normal season for tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic.
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which ended on November 30 was the most active Atlantic hurricane season on record in terms of the number of tropical cyclones – recording 30 named storms, of which 13 became hurricanes, including 6 major hurricanes.
The hurricane season officially starts on June 1 each year; but the 2020 season witnessed pre-season cyclones Arthur and Bertha on May 16 and 27 respectively.
During the 2020 hurricane season, the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) made 8 payouts totalling US$47.8 million to 6 member governments:
Belize, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Panama, and Nicaragua.
