Approximately 20,000 individuals are now homeless or residing in severely damaged buildings in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) after Hurricane Beryl struck. Grenadian PM Dickon Mitchell revealed that 4,000 people lost their homes, while an additional 4,000 are staying in structurally compromised buildings.
During a media conference to launch the regional response for Grenada and SVG, PM Mitchell emphasized the urgent need for basic supplies and shelter on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The devastation caused by the hurricane has left these communities in dire need of assistance, with fishing boats, agricultural equipment, and essential resources demolished.
SVG PM Ralph Gonsalves reported that over 3,500 households have been left homeless, with thousands of homes destroyed in the southern Grenadines. He highlighted the challenges faced by primary and secondary school students on Union Island, stressing the need for significant aid from both international and regional organizations.
Both PMs emphasized the critical need for immediate financial support and called on first-world nations to provide grant resources rather than loans. They expressed gratitude for the aid already received but stressed the need for ongoing support to help in the recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The international community has been urged to take urgent action to support the affected Caribbean nations, with UN resident co-ordinator Simon Springett outlining the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to over 43,000 individuals in the region. The UN continues to work closely with local disaster management agencies to address immediate needs and begin the process of rebuilding livelihoods and critical services.
As conversations around climate change continue, the devastating impact of extreme weather events on small islands like Grenada and SVG serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global solidarity and support. The tragic loss of life during Hurricane Beryl underscores the critical need for immediate action and long-term planning to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.
