Get disaster relief assistance

If you are affected by a natural disaster like a hurricane, a flood or an earthquake, you can apply for disaster relief support from the government. You can also use this service to apply for relief assistance in smaller-scale incidents. For example, if heavy winds have significantly damaged your home.

Different types of support are available including:

1. Immediate relief such as getting access to food and shelter.

2. Non-urgent support such as repairing damage to homes and property.

How to get immediate relief

Report the emergency to the:

Welfare Department.
Perry Gap,
Bridgetown,
Saint Michael Barbados
+1 246-535-1000

Depending on the scale and the severity of the incident, a social worker or a representative from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will travel to where you are. They will assess the situation and determine the most appropriate support.

If friends and family are unable to help you and you need:

1. food, you can go to the Welfare Department.
2. shelter, speak to the social worker attending the incident about temporary accommodation.

How to apply for non-urgent support

Go to the Welfare Department

You cannot apply for non-urgent support online yet. To report damage and loss, go to the:

Welfare Department.
Perry Gap,
Bridgetown,
Saint Michael
+1 246-535-1000

Give details on the damage

Complete a form which asks for information including:

• the address or location of the damaged property
• a description of the damage
• how many vulnerable people live at a damaged property
• your bank account details so that financial support could be sent if you are eligible
• whether you own or rent the property

If the damage you are reporting is to a rented home, you will need to contact:

National Housing Corporation
Country Road
Bridgetown
Saint Michael
+1 246-536-5300

What to bring

If you have them, bring:

1. Your ID. If not, you can share your national ID number.

2. Photographs of the damage.

Submit your application

Submit your form and supporting information to either:

1. The Welfare Department.

2. District Emergency Organisations.

​​The Department of Emergency Management
The George Greaves Building
24 Warrens Industrial Park
Warrens
St. Michael

After you’ve applied for non-urgent support

A social worker or a representative from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will come to speak to you and assess the damage and or loss. They may take photographs and collect evidence.

They will make a recommendation about the support you should receive, and the level of support will be determined.

You will find out if your application has been approved and how much support you will receive as soon as possible.

No bank account

You will need to collect a cheque from the Welfare Department if:

• you do not have a bank account and cannot receive payment electronically

• you have no fixed address and receiving a cheque in the post would be difficult