UNICEF responds as nightmare hurricane Beryl causes pain in Eastern Caribbean

Andrew DaSilva was looking forward to a few more fun-filled days at school before breaking for an exciting summer vacation. 

That was Monday morning, but within mere hours his dreams of summer frolic turned to a nightmare as he watched his family’s home on the outskirts of Kingstown, St Vincent being ripped apart by a powerful Hurricane Beryl.

The first major system for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season tore the roof off his family’s house leaving them among hundreds rendered homeless in the hurricane’s wake. Official government estimates are that 90 per cent of homes in Union Island and Bequia, part of the group of islands making up St Vincent and the Grenadines, were damaged or destroyed. 

While official estimates are still underway in neighbouring Grenada, the Government there reported that Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the two other islands in the tri-island state, were devastated by the hurricane’s relentless 140 miles per hour winds.

In all over 650,000 people, including 150,000 children, in Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Tobago were in the storm’s path, but the other countries escaped with minimal structural damage. 

“It was horrible. I was scared. The roof came off and the rain was falling on my head,” recalled Andrew, 9, who lived in the house with his mother Princess Gibson and siblings Joel and Ruth. The displaced family is now among over 1,600 people in St Vincent and the Grenadines being housed in temporary government shelters.

Andrew’s mother said the family decided to ride out the storm at home and while the children were initially curious to experience a hurricane, that curiosity soon turned to concern as the winds picked up and the roof was lifted, exposing them to rain and the howling wind. “At first I was wondering if it was a dream when I saw the roof going as we didn’t expect this to happen, but we are thankful,” she added.

Just two years ago the St Vincent and the Grenadines population was impacted when the La Soufrière Volcano erupted blanketing most of the country with ash.

UNICEF is mobilizing supplies and resources and has pledged to support the affected countries to get back on their feet. Pieter Bult, UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean Area explained:

“UNICEF is deeply concerned at the plight of those affected by Hurricane Beryl, especially the most vulnerable, children and women. While we are still waiting initial assessments to come in, we know that children are commonly the most vulnerable in natural and man-made disasters." 

“We pledge to be there for children of the affected countries,” he added. 

UNICEF and partners have pre-positioned life-saving supplies in several countries in the Caribbean Basin, including medical kits, educational kits, essential water supplies, sanitation and hygiene materials (such as water tanks, large bottles and water purification tablets), and key equipment such as high-quality tents, which will be deployed as needed.

Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America also shared details about the organisation's response in the region.

“Our teams across the Caribbean are ready to support national efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to families in need,” he said.

While extreme weather events put the lives of the most vulnerable children and families at risk, UNICEF supports emergency preparedness efforts throughout the region. “Investing in national capacities to prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies and provide essential services for children is critical,” added Karin Hulshof.

Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. In the Caribbean, 1.9 million people, including half a million children and adolescents, are affected by disasters each year. Small Island and Developing States in the Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to climate shocks due to their small size and extreme exposure to natural hazards, and the effects of climate change.

This year, UNICEF has requested US$12.4 million to prepare for, and respond to, emergencies in Latin America and the Caribbean, including in countries in the Caribbean Basin.

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This story is a combination of two UNICEF updates published to UNICEF Eastern Caribbean and UN Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.