Attachments
Highlights
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Utility and telecommunications providers are actively engaged in restoration activities, prioritizing critical facilities and heavily impacted regions. These efforts are essential to the broader recovery process. Concurrently, relief supplies are reaching households in need, with funding efforts underway to bolster relief coordination and aid, drawing from both local and international contributions.
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UNICEF and other UN agencies received Central Emergency Response Funds (CERF) for humanitarian response. UNICEF will address WASH, nutrition, child protection, and social protection needs out of CERF funds.
UNICEF is also providing technical support to the Government of Jamaica regarding education and health issues. -
UNICEF distributed 6000 water containers and 100 hygiene kits through ODPEM. UNICEF is distributing additional 3,600 hygiene kits and 7500 water containers. UNICEF is also preparing to install/repared 10 community “water points” across affected areas. An in-depth assessment is being conducted by the implementing partner to ascertain more sustainable water solutions for the affected communities. Finalization of SBC messages to promote key hygiene practices are currently taking place with the intention to implement within the next two weeks.
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UNICEF mobilized approximately US$ one million for the response while funding gap remains at US$ 2.5 million
Situation in Numbers
37,000 children in need of humanitarian assistance (UNICEF estimate)
184,000 More severely affected (Multi-sector Joint Assessment Report)
31 People in 04 shelters (ODPEM)
2 Confirmed deaths (ODPEM)
Funding Overview and Partnerships
To meet the immediate response needs, UNICEF developed its response plan and funding requests communicated to key humanitarian donors. UNICEF is also jointly working with other UN agencies under the leadership of UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator to prepare a joint Response Plan and Appeal for Jamaica to support the response. UNICEF estimates the overall funding requirement as US$3.5 million, although this may increase upon finalization of the assessments.
Situation Overview & Humanitarian Needs
As of July 18, 2024, all humanitarian operations continue to be coordinated at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). It continues to respond to Hurricane Beryl's impacts by monitoring the logistical arrangements, food distribution, detailed damage assessment, coordination, and recovery operations by governmental agencies, humanitarian organizations, non-governmental organizations, and national and parish response mechanisms. Key agencies are updating the NEOC on activities implemented to assess damage, provide relief, and restore utilities and infrastructure islandwide.
Restoration activities, a critical component of the response efforts, are underway by utility and telecommunications providers. These efforts are concentrated on critical facilities and the most affected areas, underscoring the importance of their role in the recovery process. Relief supplies are being distributed to affected households, and funding is being sourced to support relief coordination and aid from both local and international sources. Ongoing damage and loss assessments are crucial in representing the impact to the country's assets and GDP.
The ODPEM and the Social Development Commission have been mobilized to conduct islandwide assessments. The assessments will include damage assessments and business surveys in the affected communities and will be completed in all fourteen parishes. Preliminary results were collated by the Ministry of Labor & Social Security (MLSS) on July 26, indicating that out of 11,049 houses assessed, 606 were totally destroyed, 3,745 severely damaged and 6,459 lightly damaged The MLSS is actively distributing food and hygiene kits to households across the island. At the same time, MLSS is conducting comprehensive door-to-door assessments of damage and needs to support recovery.
The Ministry of Education and Youth reported 297 schools have been damaged with an estimated cost of J$2 billion. The damages on schools are categorized as follows:
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Severe Damage: 78 schools were severely damaged and cannot be reopened until repairs are done with damage amounting to J$1.4 billion.
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Moderate Damage: 100 schools with moderate damage amounting to J$761 million.
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Minor Damage: 119 schools with minor damage amounting to J$415 million.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica is working toward bringing emergency and healthcare services back to full operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Across the island, some health centres that suffered damages are undergoing minor repairs to resume normal functions. Additionally, there has been an improvement in service accessibility at several health facilities, owing to continuous recovery efforts by the government and humanitarian actors. The ministry has reported that the cost of damages to the healthcare sector have reached J$1.8 billion, with the assessment of losses still in progress.
There are still several communities in the parishes of St Elizabeth and Manchester without piped water. This is largely due to the interconnectivity between electricity supply and provision of water. Safe drinking water and hygiene promotion remains a priority.
As of 05 August 2024, four emergency shelters remain activated island-wide, where a total of 31 people are currently accommodated. These shelters will remain active until temporary housing solutions are determined. Most people in the shelters have their homes and properties damaged and thus are unable to return.