Officials in the southeast Caribbean are urgently seeking assistance from the international community as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a devastating Category 4 storm that struck nearly two weeks ago. The storm has left a trail of destruction across Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, displacing thousands of people and causing widespread devastation.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines described the impact of the storm as 'Beryl's Armageddon,' highlighting the complete destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods on the affected islands. The storm, which set a record as the first-ever Category 4 storm in June in the Atlantic, made landfall on Carriacou in Grenada before sweeping through nearby islands.
The hurricane's ferocity crushed power grids, destroyed water systems, and wiped out essential resources like livestock and fishing equipment, leaving many in impoverished communities without means of sustenance. The prime minister of Grenada emphasized the urgent need for assistance, noting that 90% of buildings on several Grenadian islands, including critical facilities like hospitals and airports, were destroyed.
The United Nations has joined the call for help, with a request for $9 million in assistance to support a total of 43,000 people in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The UN resident coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean highlighted the scale of disruption caused by Beryl, emphasizing the need for immediate aid.
Scientists are pointing to the impact of climate change on hurricanes, noting that warmer Atlantic waters played a significant role in Beryl's rapid intensification. With predictions of an above-average 2024 hurricane season, authorities are bracing for more severe weather events in the region.
The urgent plea for assistance underscores the critical need for international support to help the affected communities recover and rebuild in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
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