July 3, 2024: Kingston, Jamaica. Category 4 storm Beryl caused widespread damage in several island nations as it crossed the Caribbean.Getty Images
The Irish Government has provided €175,000 in relief supplies to the Caribbean nations of Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the wake of Hurricane Beryl earlier this month.
Ireland’s Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin and Minister of State International Development and Diaspora Seán Fleming announced that €175,000 worth of Irish humanitarian supplies arrived on the islands on Thursday evening after being airlifted to the UN’s Humanitarian Response Depot in Panama.
The supplies include tarpaulins, shelter kits, hygiene kits, water jerry cans, large water tanks, electricity generators, and solar lamps and will be distributed by the national disaster management agencies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada.
Ireland is additionally 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.
🇮🇪 is providing essential relief supplies to Grenada + Saint Vincent & the Grenadines in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Beryl.
Shelter, water supplies, power generators & hygiene kits were transported today from Irish stocks in @UNHRD Panama.
👉https://t.co/aTaKIXprU4 pic.twitter.com/6rAAmOFI6M
— Irish Aid (@Irish_Aid) July 18, 2024
Martin said Ireland was “pleased” to come to the aid of both Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in their time of need.
“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,” Martin said in a statement.
“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 said the aid will provide “some immediate relief ” to communities devastated by the recent 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,” Fleming said.
Ireland provides relief supplies to Saint Vincent & the Grenadines & Grenada in the wake of #HurricaneBeryl
Ministers @MichealMartinTD & @SeanFlemingTD express solidarity as a small island to all those affected as they face a long road ahead to rebuild their countries.
🇮🇪🤝🇻🇨🇬🇩 pic.twitter.com/Fwol01rrXu
— Ireland’s Office for the Caribbean (@irlincaribbean) July 18, 2024
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday that Hurricane Beryl caused widespread destruction across several Caribbean countries, leaving at least 20 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.
Source link : https://www.irishcentral.com/news/politics/ireland-hurricane-beryl.amp
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Publish date : 2024-07-19 14:52:50
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