By Saskia Warrick
Jamaica’s proactive preparedness measures significantly minimized the impact of Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall on Wednesday.
According to reports from UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, Dennis Zulu, the rural areas were the most affected, resulting in one confirmed death thus far.
The aftermath has left 70% of the population without access to water and 40% without electricity.
Efforts are already underway to address these challenges, supported by a $2.5 million Emergency Response Fund secured for immediate relief efforts.
Zulu emphasized that the early arrival of the hurricane underscores the need for ongoing improvements in preparedness strategies.
In addition to Jamaica, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Simon Springett, provided updates on relief efforts in other affected islands.
He highlighted the coordinated response and robust systems in place to handle such emergencies across the region.
Meanwhile, in the Cayman Islands, low-lying areas experienced flooding and some structural damage.
However, the island managed to avoid a direct hit from Hurricane Beryl, as reported.
The collaborative efforts and swift response underscore the importance of preparedness and coordinated response mechanisms in minimizing the impact of natural disasters.