The United Nations has announced the allocation of US$4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to initiate humanitarian operations in Jamaica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines following Hurricane Beryl’s impact.
In collaboration with the affected nations, the UN Secretary-General is also considering launching an appeal to address the humanitarian needs made worse by the hurricane’s impact.
Dennis Zulu, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jamaica and the UN Secretary-General’s representative in the country, shared on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the UN’s commitment to supporting response and recovery efforts alongside the Government and other partners.
“The UN has positioned essential supplies and resources to facilitate a swift and effective response. We are also prepared to deploy technical experts to assist with damage assessments, needs identification, and coordination of humanitarian assistance among international development partners and international NGOs. The UN stands firmly with the people and Government of Jamaica.” Zulu said.
Dennis Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jamaica
In a media release, the UN Secretary-General said he was deeply concerned about the destruction wreaked by Hurricane Beryl, the strongest hurricane in history, in the Atlantic Ocean in June.
Hurricane Beryl Leaves Devastation in St Elizabeth and Manchester.
According to a report in Thursday’s, July 4, 2024, edition of The Gleaner, Hurricane Beryl has caused widespread devastation across the southern parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, severely impacting infrastructure with its strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Member of Parliament for Southwest St. Elizabeth, Floyd Green, has described the situation as “complete devastation,” highlighting the loss of homes experienced by several individuals.
He mentioned that numerous residents across the constituency, from Treasure Beach to Barbary Hall, have reported the destruction of their roofs.
“From all the reports I have received, we have faced a tremendously severe impact in St. Elizabeth from Hurricane Beryl. A significant number of roofs have been lost, houses destroyed, trees uprooted, light poles down, and almost all roads are impassable. It’s going to be an extremely long night,” he shared on the social media platform X late on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
He noted that most of the main road network was impassable due to fallen trees, including at Brompton, Lewis Town, Crawford, Luana to Brompton, Elim, Holland Bamboo, Nain, and Goshen.
Green has already reached out to the National Works Agency and the Jamaica Public Service Company in an effort to clear some of the roadways.
Furthermore, a team from the Ministry of Labour will be on the ground on Thursday to begin assisting those who have suffered damage.
Meanwhile, a similar story unfolded in Manchester, where residents reported the loss of their roofs in Grove Town, Lancaster, and Hermitage in South Manchester.
At least one house was destroyed in the Lancaster community.
Several roads were reportedly blocked, including Cross Keys and Cocoa Walk.
Beryl’s eyewall brushed Jamaica’s southern coast on Wednesday afternoon, July 3, 2024.
Young Adult Swept Away in Arnett Gardens Gully.
Tragic Event in Havanna, Arnett Gardens, St Andrew
On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 3, 2024, a devastating incident occurred in Havanna, Arnett Gardens, St Andrew. A 20-year-old man, known as ‘Lala’, was tragically swept away by floodwaters in a gully in this area.
It is reported that the young man was playing football and ventured into the gully to retrieve the ball, leading to the tragic turn of events. Despite the efforts of the Jamaica Fire Brigade and the Jamaica Defence Force, their search for him proved to be unsuccessful.
This unfortunate event has deeply impacted the community, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man during this difficult time.