PAHO supports Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines following Hurricane Beryl

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is supporting the health response in affected Caribbean countries following the devastating passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl, the earliest ever recorded Category 5 hurricane in the North Atlantic, hit the eastern Caribbean on 1 July as a high-end Category 4 storm causing significant destruction, particularly to the islands of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Beryl directly affected over 80,000 people across the two countries and caused 11 deaths in those locations. The hurricane also led to widespread damage to infrastructure, including to at least 15 health facilities rendered inoperable. 

“Our hearts go out to the people of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa said, highlighting PAHO’s support. “PAHO is with you in every step to rebuild and restore access to health in affected communities,” he added.

During the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, PAHO activated its emergency response mechanisms to provide critical support to Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, through its Emergency Operation Centers in Barbados and Washington D.C., as well as its specialists stationed in both countries, who act as first responders on the ground.

PAHO experts in the areas of water and sanitation, health facility damage assessment, environmental health, and logistics, have been deployed to the islands to assess the situation on the ground and coordinate the response alongside local health authorities. PAHO assisted with the completion of a comprehensive assessment report and budget for the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene  for St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Government approved this report and allocated 1 million Eastern Caribbean dollars (US$370,000) to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations. Detailed damage assessment and estimates for the restoration of health facilities is also being undertaken.

Continue reading this story on PAHO's website.