Ireland provides emergency supplies in response to Hurricane Beryl

Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and for Defence, Micheál Martin TD and Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Seán Fleming TD have today announced the provision of relief supplies to the Caribbean states of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada in the wake of Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane Beryl caused widespread devastation across several islands in the Caribbean in early July. On Grenada's northern islands and several of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' southern islands, over 90% of buildings were damaged or destroyed. Thousands have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The airlift of Irish humanitarian supplies includes tarpaulins, shelter kits, hygiene kits, water jerry cans, large water tanks, electricity generators, and solar lamps. The items were flown from the UN's Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) in Panama, and will arrive on the islands this evening. The total airlift is worth over €175,000. The relief items will be distributed by the national disaster management agencies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.

Ireland is also deploying a member of its Rapid Response Roster to the region to work as a Shelter and Settlement Coordinator with the International Organisation for Migration.

Announcing the airlift, the Tánaiste said:

“Hurricane Beryl has been catastrophic for these islands. This record-breaking hurricane is a stark reminder of how the impacts of climate change are causing huge suffering for ordinary people.

“Many have lost their homes and their livelihoods. There is widespread disruption to services and basic supplies. As a small island state ourselves, we are pleased to be able to offer support to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada, in their time of need.”

Minister Fleming added:

“These supplies will provide some immediate relief to communities that have been devastated by this incredibly powerful hurricane.

“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada face a long road ahead to rebuild their countries. I am pleased to announce also that Ireland will deploy a shelter expert to the region who will support the longer-term process of rebuilding.”

ENDS

Press Office

18 July 2024

Notes to editors:

• Hurricane Beryl has caused widespread destruction across several Caribbean countries, leaving at least twenty dead and thousands displaced from their homes. The damage has been particularly severe in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica. On some islands, over 90% of buildings were damaged or destroyed, along with the destruction of key infrastructure, crops and fishing vessels. Hurricane Beryl was the earliest Category Five Hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, with meteorologists predicting an unusually severe hurricane season in the region.

• Under the Rapid Response Initiative, Ireland pre-positions humanitarian relief items around the world. Items are stored in UN Humanitarian Response Depots (UNHRD), which are strategically located near disaster and crisis-prone areas. Ireland’s stocks are located in Panama, Dubai (UAE), Accra (Ghana) and Brindisi (Italy). Ireland also maintains a Roster of humanitarian experts, who deploy at short notice to support the UN humanitarian response.

• Ireland also contributes to several global emergency funds, which respond quickly to such disasters. In 2024, Ireland provided €14 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and €1.4 million to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The CERF allocated $4 million to support immediate relief efforts in Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The DREF allocated 1.7 million Swiss Francs to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica and Grenada.