Guyana sends relief items to hurricane-ravaged Grenada
Guyana’s first shipment of relief aid to Grenada in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl was handed over to the island’s Minister for Climate 
Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy Kerryne James, by Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hus
sain at the Maurice Bishop International Airport on Tuesday. The relief items include generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene items, and other 
necessities (CDC photos)
Guyana’s first shipment of relief aid to Grenada in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl was handed over to the island’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy Kerryne James, by Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hus sain at the Maurice Bishop International Airport on Tuesday. The relief items include generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene items, and other necessities (CDC photos)

–President Ali meets regional leaders, local officials to coordinate response
–Grenada PM confirms ‘complete devastation’ of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, two deaths
–‘immense destruction, pain, suffering’ facing St. Vincent

IN the wake of significant damage and infrastructure destruction, and reports of fatalities, Guyana’s President and Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Irfaan Ali on Tuesday morning convened an emergency response meeting with regional leaders to evaluate the initial losses incurred by Hurricane Beryl.

This came a day after Dr. Ali, in noting the destruction the Category 4 storm has already caused, called for regional solidary and a coordinated response that involves the private sector.

Chairman of CARICOM and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and regional leaders discussing the response to the devastation left behind by Hurricane Beryl (OP photo)

Following the meeting with the regional leaders, he, along with Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and other officials, met at State House to discuss Guyana’s response. PM Phillips has since been tasked with leading the coordination efforts, which will involve the mobilising and dispatching of relief supplies among other initiatives.

Grenada, which has suffered significant damage, has since received relief items which include generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene items, and other necessities from Guyana.

In a statement, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said that in response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean region, President Ali has swiftly mobilised a collaborative response through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the GDF to provide essential supplies to Grenada.

As part of the initial response efforts, the GDF deployed an emergency relief flight to Grenada early Tuesday morning.

The flight, 8R-GWJ, departed the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at 09:30 hrs with Colonel Nazrul Hussain, Director- General of the Civil Defence Commission and a three-man flight crew commanded by Major Lloyden Layneand and second-in-command Major Daryl Britton along with the third crew Sergeant Dexroy Fields. They arrived in Grenada at 11:55 hrs where the essential supplies were delivered.

According to the GDF, the mission underscores the commitment to providing immediate assistance and support during times of crisis.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 90 per cent of the houses have been damaged (Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves’ photo)

“This humanitarian effort is not the first for Guyana, as the nation was actively involved in relief efforts during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Such experiences have fortified the GDF’s readiness and ability to respond effectively to natural disasters within the region. The GDF continues to work closely with regional and national emergency response agencies, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate relief efforts and ensure timely support reaches those in need,” the statement said, adding that together with regional partners, the Force is committed to overcoming the challenges brought forth by this disaster and ensuring the safety and well-being of all affected communities.

DEVASTATION

Meanwhile, during a press conference, which was broadcast live on Tuesday, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed that at least two fatalities have been recorded thus far.

“There is widespread destruction; the possibility of more fatalities is a reality,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that Carriacou and Petite Martinique are completely devastated, and officials are currently unable to use heavy equipment, since fuel is in short supply due to the destruction of gas stations.

“The north of the island has suffered significant damage and destruction,” he said.

President Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, along with other officials meeting on Tuesday to discuss Guyana’s response to the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in several Caribbean islands (OP photo)

Additionally, St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves had said that Hurricane Beryl has left the island in “immense destruction, pain, [and] suffering.”

The Prime Minister said many houses, schools and other government buildings, churches and church-owned schools have been “severely damaged or destroyed”.

“Union Island has been devastated. The reports that I’ve received indicate that 90 per cent of the houses have been severely damaged or destroyed,” Dr. Gonsalves was quoted as saying.

There has also been one confirmed fatality on that island.

Over in Barbados, several fisherfolk have been severely affected. There are also reports of badly damaged boats.

On Tuesday morning, Beryl morphed into a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm churning towards Jamaica.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

It was later downgraded to a Category 4 storm, which was what it was when it hit Grenada and the St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Beryl is expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surges to Jamaica today, and impact the Cayman Islands tomorrow. Hurricane watches have been issued for the Cayman Islands.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has reported that the threat of a possible direct impact has increased, as the current official forecast puts the system to the north, thereby increasing the chances of the eye of the hurricane passing over the southern section of the island.

The severe storm is expected to make landfall on the island early today, with heavy rainfall, possible hurricane-force winds across the island, dangerous storm surges, and battering waves along coastal areas of mainly the southern parishes.

On Monday, President Ali made a passionate plea for regional unity, and a wholistic approach to the destructive hurricane.

“As Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I express deep concern and continued anxiety over the passage of Hurricane Beryl through our region. Initial reports have indicated significant damage and destruction to infrastructure and private property in some territories. As this weather phenomenon roars its way through the Region, we must continue to brace ourselves against the effects of high winds, storm surges along sea coasts, and heavy rainfall,” he said.

Guyana’s first shipment of relief aid arrived in Grenada on Tuesday morning. The items include generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene items, and other necessities (CDC photo)

Over the weekend, Beryl became the Atlantic Basin’s earliest Category 4 storm, shattering Hurricane Dennis’ record set on July 7, 2005. Beryl is also the first Category 4 hurricane recorded in June. The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Several regional flights have been postponed, as many of the major airports have also closed their doors. CARICOM’s 47th Regular Meeting of Heads of Government, scheduled for Grenada from 3-5 July, has been postponed to a date to be determined.

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