Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Hurricane Beryl – Emergency Appeal Operational Strategy (Appeal No. MDRS2001) – Grenada

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Severity of humanitarian conditions

BARBADOS:

1. Impact on accessibility, availability, quality, use, and awareness of goods and services

In Barbados, the fishing industry and vendors within the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal have been severely disrupted with 41 of 66 businesses affected and fisherfolk experiencing substantial loss of equipment, stocks, and supplies. This disruption has not only affected their immediate livelihoods but also poses long-term economic challenges, reducing their ability to support their families and sustain their businesses. The storm caused severe damage to the south coast, affecting the fishing industry with over 200 vessels damaged or destroyed, and 90 per cent of the damaged vessels were uninsured.

Women working as vendors in fish markets and within the Bridgetown Cruise Terminal have been heavily impacted. The storm has disrupted the accessibility, availability, quality, and use of goods and services in these markets. The destruction of infrastructure and supply chain interruptions have made it difficult for these women to resume their trade, affecting their income and financial stability. This situation exacerbates existing gender inequalities, as women are often primary caregivers and are now facing additional economic pressures.

The tourism industry has also been significantly affected, with 73 per cent of hotels, apartments, and guest houses reporting some level of damage, according to the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association.

2. Impact on physical and mental well-being

The physical and mental well-being of those affected by Hurricane Beryl is of significant concern. The mental strain of losing livelihoods, combined with the physical danger posed by Hurricane Beryl has left many community members in a state of heightened stress and anxiety. This mental health burden requires urgent attention to prevent long-term psychological issues and to support community resilience.

3. Risks and vulnerabilities

The risks and vulnerabilities of the affected population are compounded by the geographic and operational context in addition to a continued lack of insurance of their boats and equipment. The low-lying coastal areas where many fisherfolk live and work are at heightened risk of repeated hurricane impacts, making recovery efforts more challenging. Additionally, the community is working in a compromised operational state due to advanced IT systems, further hindering effective response and recovery efforts.

Addressing these humanitarian needs requires a coordinated response that prioritises the restoration of livelihoods, mental health support, and strengthening community resilience against future disasters. Immediate action to support the most affected groups, particularly fisherfolk and women vendors, is critical to ensure a swift and sustainable recovery.

GRENADA:

1. Impact on accessibility, availability, quality, use, and awareness of goods and services

The region’s agriculture sector is estimated to have suffered tens of millions of dollars in damage due to Hurricane Beryl. The economic impact of the crisis is significant. The agricultural sector experienced significant destruction in the northern part of Grenada. Farmers, who depend heavily on water for irrigation, were severely affected by the drought, which has now been compounded by subsequent crop and water infrastructure damage due to the hurricane, leading to decreased agricultural productivity and impacting food security and livelihoods. These impacts are evident on the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique as well, given the near total destruction of the built and natural environments, including damage to the ports and fishing boats. The government has responded with immediate relief of in-kind food distributions.

Housing has been damaged or destroyed in all of the affected areas (northern Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique), affecting 100 per cent and 97 per cent of buildings, respectively, in the latter two locations. In Carriacou, 857 buildings were affected, with 270 destroyed and 218 damaged, and 95 per cent of homes. Petite Martinique saw 384 buildings affected, with 104 destroyed and 163 damaged, and 100 per cent of homes damaged or destroyed. Two shelters for displaced persons remain open in Grenada, as well as approximately five shelters on Carriacou/Petit Martinique, with new shelters opening on the sister islands to compensate for overcrowding in the existing shelters. Significant damage to physical infrastructure (roads, bridges, public buildings) is further impacting access to affected populations. A national clean-up campaign was organised by the government on 6 July 2024 (St. Andrew and St. Mark) and 7 July 2024 (St. Patrick) to assist with these access issues. Power and telecommunications have either been destroyed (Carriacou and Petite Martinique) or significantly damaged (northern Grenada), especially in St. Patrick, where over 98 per cent of the area remained offline as of 4 July 2024, and is not expected to recover for another week.

Water infrastructure was also significantly affected, with water treatment systems in St. Andrew remain offline as of 4 July 2024 (with restoration expected by 7 July 2024). Supplemental water trucking and storage were implemented as temporary measures, including at health centres affected by the water infrastructure damage. The water desalination plants on Carriacou and Petite Martinique suffered damage to the feed pumps, inlet, and pump house (Petite Martinique), with recommissioning not expected before 11 July 2024 (Carriacou) and 18 July 2024 (Petite Martinique). In addition to the desalination plants, household water storage tanks and cisterns have either been destroyed or compromised, requiring replacement or water treatment.

2. Impact on physical and mental well-being

As over 95 per cent of housing, livelihoods, and assets have been affected, including clinics, daycares, hospitals, aged care homes, and social services, there is a tremendous need for psychosocial support, particularly for the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. The Government of Grenada has deployed a psychosocial support team to Carriacou and Martinique, as well as northern Grenada, and assessments are currently being conducted together with the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, and UN Women. Due to the near total devastation in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, the elderly are being relocated to Grenada for basic needs and geriatric care. The World Food Programme is reportedly implementing immediate cash transfers to vulnerable groups. The Government of Grenada has also activated its gender-based violence and child protection hotline. Other programmes include trauma therapy, the return to happiness programme for children, and the caring for carers parental programme. Lower income housing is also being made available for individuals who have been displaced.

3. Risks and vulnerabilities

Grenada is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as demonstrated by the impacts of extreme events and occurrences of increased forest fires, crop losses, water shortages, and incidences of pests and diseases in recent years. Grenada’s key economic sectors such as agriculture and tourism are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Notably, Hurricane Ivan in 2004 caused damages exceeding 200 percent of GDP, and almost two decades later, the country is still recovering from some of this damage. As noted above, Grenada was already experiencing a drought immediately preceding the hurricane, which could potentially exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, especially related to food security and livelihoods.

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Source link : https://reliefweb.int/report/grenada/barbados-grenada-jamaica-and-saint-vincent-and-grenadines-hurricane-beryl-emergency-appeal-operational-strategy-appeal-no-mdrs2001 Author : Publish date : 2024-07-20 09:56:27 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .

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Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Hurricane Beryl – Emergency Appeal Operational Strategy (Appeal No. MDRS2001) – Grenada

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