Past responses /
Barbuda
GER³ helped manage a community-led recovery operation supporting Barbudans returning home after Hurricane Irma.
Barbudan children take part in swimming activities in Antigua while displaced following Hurricane Irma, as part of the recovery program. Photo: GER³
Overview
Hurricane Irma struck Barbuda in September 2017, causing widespread destruction across the island and displacing residents to neighboring Antigua. Homes, businesses and essential infrastructure were severely damaged, leaving the community facing significant challenges as people began returning to the island.
GER³ was brought in by the Waitt Foundation to provide day-to-day operational leadership for the Barbuda Recovery and Conservation Trust’s recovery program. Over more than four months, the operation supported residents returning home, created local employment and provided practical assistance to families and businesses as community life began to recover.
General focus areas
Returning home and community support
Helping displaced Barbudans return safely to the island was a central part of the recovery effort.
The operation supported the transportation of 828 people back to Barbuda and provided social services to more than 300 people, helping residents navigate some of the practical challenges of returning to a heavily damaged island.
Local jobs and businesses
The recovery program prioritized involving Barbudans directly in rebuilding their community.
More than 30 local workers were employed through the operation, providing income to people affected by the hurricane while bringing local knowledge and skills into the recovery effort. The program also supported two Barbudan restaurants, helping local businesses continue operating during a difficult period for the island’s economy.
Children and families
Many Barbudan families remained displaced in Antigua while recovery work continued on the island.
The program supported more than 80 Barbudan children living temporarily in Antigua to participate in swimming and football activities, providing opportunities for recreation, connection and a greater sense of normality during displacement.
Community and environmental recovery
GER³’s work formed part of a broader recovery program designed around the needs of the Barbudan community and the island’s natural environment.
The pilot operation combined community-based recovery with a commitment to protecting Barbuda’s marine ecosystems, building on the Waitt Foundation’s existing conservation work and recognizing the importance of the environment to the island’s long-term recovery.
Animal welfare
The evacuation of Barbuda also left animals without regular care.
The recovery operation helped provide food and shelter for more than 130 dogs that had been left on the island after the hurricane, addressing an additional community need during the early stages of recovery.
