Hurricane Beryl, the strongest hurricane in history that formed in the Atlantic Ocean in June and wreaked havoc as it swept across Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica.
Beryl began as a tropical depression, but quickly strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane and briefly reached Category 5 status, with winds of 240 km/h (150 mph).
Hurricane Beryl, now downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, is moving toward Belize and Mexico and continues to pose a major threat.
The storm killed at least ten people, injured many more and caused widespread destruction, forcing thousands to shelter in bomb shelters.
UN chief ‘deeply shocked’
UN Secretary-General António Guterresexpressed his deep dismay about the devastation caused by the hurricane, reiterating his solidarity with the affected countries.
“The Secretary-General, in cooperation with affected countries, is considering launching an appeal to address humanitarian needs arising from the impact of Hurricane Beryl,” his Spokesmansaid Stéphane Dujarric in a rack issued late on Wednesday evening.
The statement noted that $4 million will be made available by the UN Central Emergency Aid Fund to Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
UN teams on the ground
UN humanitarian officials in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada are working with local officials to assess damage and respond.
Teams from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are also in Barbados, supporting efforts in the country and the Eastern Caribbean, Mr. Dujarric said said during a press conference earlier in the day at UN headquarters in New York.
Teams are also going to Belize and Jamaica, he added.
