Eastern Caribbean: Hurricane Beryl - Situation Report No. 04 (As of 19 July 2024)

This report is produced by OCHA in collaboration with the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. It covers the period from 15 to 19 July 2024 and is focused on the impacts in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Beryl’s impact in Jamaica is covered in separate reports

HIGHLIGHTS

• Initial agricultural assessments in both countries indicate that significant agricultural losses will reduce food availability, leading to potential food shortages and increased prices. The food import bill will also be affected as the need for fresh vegetables, fruits and staple crops grows.

• On 19 July, OCHA facilitated a UN Member State Press Briefing with participation from Permanent Mission Representatives for Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prime Minister for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Executive Director for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

• The European Union, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and multiple international partners have allocated financial and material support for response efforts to Hurricane Beryl, including US$490,00 (EUR 450,000) to WFP for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada, US$5,000 for hygiene kits and solar lamps, US$ 25,000 for emergency supplies for Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and US$100,000 to the Grenada Red Cross for shelter kits and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies.

75%
estimated loss of bearing fruits, mainly in coastal and southern areas of the Grenadines

80%
estimated losses of economic tree and staple crops in Grenada

34
schools have some form of damage reported in Grenada, Petite Martinique and Carriacou

26
schools have some form of damage in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

SITUATION OVERVIEW

The onset of the hurricane season was challenging for numerous Caribbean countries, with Hurricane Beryl striking several CDEMA Participating States two weeks ago. The multi-hazard Early Warning System (EWS) significantly helped save lives, particularly in Barbados. Currently, urgent humanitarian efforts are underway to provide essential necessities such as water, food, medicine, and shelter to individuals and communities in dire circumstances. CDEMA and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMOs) are leading the response, supported by the UN and humanitarian partners, leveraging longstanding collaborative relationships.

Hurricane Beryl has highlighted the need for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to prioritize prevention and resilience measures. The initial Regional Overview and Planned Response document calls for US$9 million to address the urgent humanitarian needs of 43,000 people in the most affected areas of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. As of July 18, and 19, teams are compiling projects to benefit these communities, anticipating additional project contributions due to high logistics costs and urgent early recovery activities.

Grenada

A sectoral structure has been set up in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, while the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) remains in the response phase. Six organizations are based on the island, with WFP having established a mobile storage unit (MSU) structure and trained these organizations. The EU and UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) experts are conducting environmental assessments and relief items from partners are stored in a warehouse coordinated by the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU). The Government is prioritizing collaboration to capture information on distributions and organizational actions on the ground. Priority concerns include mosquito infections, waste management and plastic recycling.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

NEMO volunteers continue to deliver items on the island. Mapping of preliminary damage assessments of schools can be found: 1) Saint Vincent Mainland 2) Grenadines