Anguilla's Largest Private Employers and Real Estate Owners Partner to Form Hurricane Irma Emergency Relief Fund

Affiliates of Starwood Capital Group (owner of the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla), Belmond Ltd (owner of Belmond Cap Juluca), Auberge Resorts, Malliouhana Ownership, and Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa announce the formation of the Anguilla Stronger Emergency Relief Fund, dedicated to assisting the permanent residents of Anguilla in their recovery and rebuilding from Hurricane Irma. 

Hurricane Irma hit Anguilla as a Category Five hurricane, with recorded sustained wind speed of 185 mph and wind gusts to 215 mph. The impact caused severe devastation to the entire island with loss of electricity, loss of running water and damage to approximately 85 percents of all structures (hospital, airport, schools, hotels, restaurants and private homes). There are roughly 15,000 permanent residents who call the 35-square mile paradise home, and tourism is the island’s main source of employment. Restoring power to the island is currently projected to take several months; therefore, the tourism industry will suffer a significant negative impact, leaving thousands of people without a means to make an income for quite some time. 

The partners of Anguilla Stronger collectively employ more than 1,000 Anguillan residents. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla employs approximately 550 people, Belmond Cap Juluca employs approximately 200 people, Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort, employs 153 people and Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa employs 149 people.   

“As the largest private employer on the island, we felt compelled to lead a larger relief initiative and believe by partnering with the other prominent employers on the island, we can achieve greater results through our strategic relationships and collective worldwide reach. We are honoured each of them immediately agreed to partner with us in this effort,” said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group. “We are inspired by the native Anguillans’ strength, resilience and spirit to help each other through this crisis and are committed to working in a unified manner to accomplish our goals.”  

The Anguilla Stronger Emergency Relief Fund will focus on the following areas:

• Providing immediate emergency relief supplies such as food, water, medicine and temporary shelter or items to temporarily repair homes until building supplies can be obtained for permanent Anguillan residents
• Providing ongoing support through the purchase of building supplies and organisation of volunteer efforts for permanent Anguillan residents who need assistance with rebuilding their homes
• Providing supplies and monetary funds to assist with the rebuilding of organisations and services that are essential to life in Anguilla such as the hospital, schools, and other charitable organisations committed to improving the lives of the residents

All relief supplies will be distributed from two locations. The east end location will be located at the H.O.P.E. Centre, the fund's local Anguillan partner.  The west end location will be located at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla. The H.O.P.E. Centre is a community-based organisation that seeks to develop and enrich the physical, emotional and spiritual being of the Anguillan community.

“We are extremely pleased to be a part of this Anguilla Stronger Emergency Relief Fund that has been established to assist with rebuilding and recovery efforts here in Anguilla after the passage of Hurricane Irma,” said Gareth Hodge, Chairman of the H.O.P.E. Centre Board of Directors. “There is much work to be done and the partnering of some of the island’s largest real estate owners and developers as participants of Anguilla Stronger speaks well for the future of Anguilla.”  

To make a tax-deductible donation to the Anguilla Stronger Emergency Relief Fund, visit https://www.pledgeling.com/anguilla-stronger/. Donation will go directly to or for the benefit of the Anguillan people who need help to rebuild their homes and public places such as hospital, schools, and other community services so that life in Anguilla can return to normal. All US donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law, powered by the Pledgeling Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

About Starwood Capital Group

Starwood Capital Group is a private alternative investment firm with a core focus on global real estate, energy infrastructure and oil and gas. The firm and its affiliates maintain 10 offices in four countries around the world, and currently have more than 3,400 employees. Starwood Capital Group has raised more than USD 42 billion of equity capital since its inception in 1991, and currently manages more than USD 54 billion in assets. The firm has invested in virtually every category of real estate on a global basis, opportunistically shifting asset classes, geographies and positions in the capital stack as it perceives risk/reward dynamics to be evolving. Over the past 26 years, Starwood Capital Group and its affiliates have successfully executed an investment strategy that involves building enterprises in both the private and public markets.