Attachments
Hurricane Beryl―the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic in the month of June―formed on 30 June as a Category-4 hurricane and swept across the Caribbean, impacting multiple island nations. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is leading coordinated efforts, supported by National Emergency Management Coordinators, for the response which commenced with initial rapid needs assessments on 02 July. The ETC is coordinating with its partners globally and on the ground to assess and respond to ICT needs, through CDEMA.
Highlights
- The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) continues to lead the coordinated efforts, supported by National Emergency Management Coordinators―to respond to the impact of Hurricane Beryl―since 02 July.
- On 08 July, the inter-agency ICT coordinator conducted an ICT assessment on Union Island along the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team, which revealed major impact from Hurricane Beryl resulting in complete national grid power outage and limited telecommunications through out the whole Island.
- On 07 July, following a request from the WFP Caribbean Multi Country Office (MCO)―Ericsson Response mobilized a team of two personnel to deploy to the Caribbean. One team member will arrive in Barbados on 10 July, while the second will arrive in Barbados on 12 July with networking equipment to support the inter-agency ICT response through the WFP MCO.
Situation overview
On 08 July the CDEMA confimed that Hurricane Beryl has moved onwards and is no longer a threat to Caribbean States that are a part of the CDEMA network. Hurricane Beryl impacted 10 CDEMA participating States. Current CDEMA and humanitarian responders’ focus is on assisting Grenada and its Grenadines islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Union Island, Canouan and Mayreau in St. Vincent. According to the 05 July Grenada Government Gazette, the parishes of Saint Patrick, Carriacou and Petite Martinique have been declared disaster zones from 1 July to 30 September 2024. The full extent of damage in Mayreau and Canouan remains unknown due to telecommunication issues, but severe damage is expected. Damage to logistics and communications infrastructure is hindering efficient assistance. Assessments continue in Cayman Islands and the Clarendon, Manchester, Saint Catherine and Saint Elizabeth parishes in southern Jamaica to determine damage and inform response and early recovery actions.
A joint UNICEF, WFP and OCHA mission and UNDAC visit to affected communities in south-western Jamaica, on 06 July, noted families in need of water, food, cleaning and reconstruction supplies for their homes, as well as psychosocial support.
Hurricane Beryl―the strongest hurricane in the history of the Atlantic in the month of June―formed on 30 June as a Category-4 hurricane and swept across the Caribbean.