Jamaican Consulate General in NY appeals for Hurricane Beryl disaster relief

NEW YORK, CMC – The Consulate General of Jamaica Consulate in New York has called on the global community, international aid organisations and governments to mobilise resources, and provide immediate assistance to Caribbean islands ravaged by Hurricane Beryl.  

On Wednesday, the Jamaica Consulate said this includes financial aid, technical support and the provision of essential supplies, such as food, water, medical aid, and construction materials. 

“Additionally, efforts should focus on rebuilding infrastructure to be more resilient to future storms, investing in disaster preparedness and addressing the root causes of climate change to mitigate the impact of such devastating events,” it said. 

“Together, we can help these islands recover, and build a more sustainable and secure future for their inhabitants,” the Jamaica Consulate added.  

In what has been predicted to be an active hurricane season, the Jamaica Consulate General noted that Hurricane Beryl made an unprecedented early impact on the CARICOM islands of Grenada, Jamaica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

“The storm, which rapidly intensified from a tropical depression into a Category 4 hurricane and briefly reached Category 5 status, has left a trail of devastation across these islands,” the Consulate said. “Contributing to the Hurricane Beryl Disaster Relief is a vital way to support affected communities and help them recover. 

“You can donate cash either online, through a wire transfer, or by contacting your local Embassy or Consulate, ensuring your funds reach those in need quickly and efficiently,” it added. 

“Every contribution, whether monetary or in-kind, plays a crucial role in providing immediate relief and facilitating long-term recovery for those impacted by the hurricane,” the Jamaica Consulate continued. “Your generosity can make a significant difference in rebuilding lives and communities.” 

The Jamaica Consulate General in New York also said that the Government of Jamaica, with support from the private sector, the international community and donor agencies, has launched an extensive recovery and relief effort managed by the Hurricane Beryl Relief Coordination Committee to address the immediate needs and long-term rebuilding process caused by Hurricane Beryl.

“Contact may also be made with the Jamaican Embassy or Consulate most convenient to you to ascertain additional methods of making contributions,” the Consulate said. 

In the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl, the United Nations and its partners have also launched a US$9 million response plan to provide urgent humanitarian aid to 43,000 people in Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

“Swift action is imperative to meet the pressing needs of people whose homes and livelihoods have vanished overnight,” said Simon Springett, the UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, which includes Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the Regional Overview and Response Plan seeks US$5 million for Grenada and US$4 million for St Vincent and the Grenadines. 

The UN said focus will then shift to helping people resume their lives. This phase would include recovery and reconstruction, restoring livelihoods, building resilience, and transiting to longer-term activities.

To kickstart the response, the UN Secretary-General last week allocated US$4 million from the organisation's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), including US$1.5 million for Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

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