Caribbean Resilience and Solidarity after Hurricane Beryl

This Op-Ed is co-authored by Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, and Dennis Zulu, UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica.

Hurricane Beryl's wrath has left an indelible mark on the Caribbean, a region already grappling with the escalating impacts of climate change. The United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) in the affected countries, are supporting national disaster management agencies to provide immediate assistance to those affected and to forge a path towards building a more resilient Caribbean.

The scale and severity of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl are staggering. In Jamaica, the storm's powerful winds and heavy rainfall have damaged homes, infrastructure, and critical services, leaving communities struggling to cope. The loss of electricity and internet access, affecting over 40 per cent of the population, has hampered communication and coordination efforts. The disruption of water supplies has also raised concerns about sanitation and the potential for waterborne diseases.

Our immediate priority is to ensure that lives are saved, and suffering is alleviated. In Jamaica, the UN has activated emergency response mechanisms, deployed assessment teams and are working closely with the Government to provide shelter, clean water, food, and medical care to those in need. The $2.5 million in emergency funds from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) are being used to provide cash transfers to those who have lost their livelihoods and to support other urgent needs identified by the Government. In Jamaica, the UN has also convened the International Development Partners to facilitate a coordinated and harmonised response to government priorities.  

In the Eastern Caribbean, the situation on islands like Carriacou in Grenada is nothing short of catastrophic. The entire population of 9,000 has been affected, with most homes and businesses destroyed. The island was initially cut off from the outside world, but joint efforts by the Government, regional partners, and the UN have re-established communication, and essential supplies are beginning to arrive. However, on Union Island, one of the hardest hit areas in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 98 per cent of houses and infrastructure have been heavily damaged or destroyed and the Government does not expect to restore power this year.  

In both Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, our rapid needs assessment teams are working with national authorities to prioritize urgent needs and ensure that support reaches the most vulnerable populations, utilizing $1.5 million from the CERF. We are coordinating with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and other partners to deliver essential supplies, including food, water, shelter materials, and medical equipment, to the affected islands. 

Having witnessed the devastation and spoken to families and communities on islands across the Grenadines over the past week, we can attest that the impacts from this hurricane are heartbreaking. The UN remains committed to working with our national and regional partners to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, while supporting more long-term resilience.

Regional collaboration

The logistical challenges in responding to this crisis cannot be overstated. The remoteness of some islands, the destruction of infrastructure, and the disruption of transportation networks have made it difficult to deliver support quickly and efficiently. However, the strong spirit of regional cooperation and solidarity that characterizes the Caribbean is evident in the response to Hurricane Beryl.

Countries like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have provided valuable support, including vessels to transport supplies and personnel. The World Food Programme (WFP) in collaboration with CDEMA has established a logistical hub in Barbados to coordinate the delivery of support to the affected islands.

Building back stronger

While the immediate focus is on humanitarian assistance, we are also looking ahead to the long-term recovery and resilience of the affected communities. We are working with governments and partners to ensure that reconstruction efforts are not only about rebuilding what was lost but also about building back stronger and more resilient to future disasters.

This means incorporating climate-resilient measures into infrastructure projects, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness. We are also advocating for greater international support for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Caribbean.

The devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl underscores the urgency of this issue. The Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change, facing rising sea levels, more frequent and intense storms, and other climate-related hazards. The region's economies, which are heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture, are particularly susceptible to climate shocks.

As highlighted at the recent SIDS 4 Conference in Antigua and Barbuda, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), face unique challenges on accessing the necessary resources to build resilience. Many SIDS are classified as high- or middle-income countries, despite their vulnerability, which limits their access to concessional financing. 

We call on the international community to demonstrate solidarity with the Caribbean and to provide the financial and technical support needed for the region to mitigate and adapt to climate change while at the same time building resilience. This includes fulfilling commitments under the Paris Agreement to support the development and implementation of climate-resilient strategies.

The road to recovery

The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but we are confident that with the collective efforts of governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector, the Caribbean will emerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient.  However, this is just the beginning of a potentially difficult hurricane season, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and preparedness.

We stand in solidarity with the resilience and spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the people of the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. The way communities have rallied together, volunteers have stepped up, and governments have led the response is truly inspiring.

The UN remains committed to working alongside the people of the Caribbean throughout the long recovery process ahead. We will continue to support efforts to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and create a more resilient and sustainable future for this vibrant region. Together, we can overcome this crisis and build back stronger than before.

This blog was written by Resident Coordinator in Jamaica Dennis Zulu and Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Simon Springett. More information on the work of the UN in Jamaica can be found at jamaica.un.org and for efforts in the Eastern Caribbean visit easterncaribbean.un.org.

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This story was first published by the United Nations Development Coordination Office.