Hurricane Beryl: Aid air-dashed by Guyana to Grenada arrives

– “We have no choice but to rise from the ashes” – Grenada PM
– 6 deaths reported in 3 countries

In light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl in several Caricom States, Guyana’s first shipment of relief aid arrived in Grenada on Tuesday one day after President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced that Guyana has activated a full emergency response team to offer the necessary support to affected countries.
The shipment which includes generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene items, and other necessities was handed over to Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James by the Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel (Ret’d), Nazrul Hussain at the Maurice Bishop International Airport, Grenada.

Meanwhile on Tuesday evening, a statement of Guyana’s Office of the Prime Minister said that Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has coordinated with multiple agencies, including the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Civil Defence Commission, and private sector groups, to provide assistance to Grenada, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

It noted that Tuesday the first shipment of relief aid was handed over to Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, Kerryne James at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

This initial consignment comprises vital items such as generators, water purification tablets, batteries, hygiene products, and other necessities critical for immediate relief and recovery efforts.

Further, Guyana is mobilising more supplies for shipment to include chainsaws, mattresses, tarpaulins, rice, sugar, flour, plywood, black water tanks, lumber, zinc sheets and other roofing material.

The statement said that to the government of Guyana’s swift response to this crisis, the PM emphasised government’s commitment to community solidarity in the face of the regional challenge.

“In these trying times, it is imperative that we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Caribbean family. Guyana is committed to supporting our sister countries, providing not only immediate relief but also assistance in rebuilding and resilience efforts,” Prime Minister Phillips stated.

From reports received, the impact of the hurricane has killed three people in Carriacou, Grenada, where it made landfall on Monday. Reports also indicated that one death was reported in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and two persons were killed in Venezuela. No reports of deaths from the other affected countries were known up to press time.

After devastating several islands, the hurricane which has been upgraded to a Category 5 was closing in on Jamaica on Tuesday evening with winds up to 165 mph which surpassed Hurricane Emily in 2005 with winds at 160mph.
It is expected to pound on Jamaica with estimated rainfall of 4 to 8 inches across the mountainous island country, with isolated amounts of up to 12 inches possible. This could trigger flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
However, as the affected countries started their clean-up, Guyana was the first country to send aid to Grenada – one of the most severely hit countries. In fact, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has led a proactive approach by mobilising aid to the affected countries. On Tuesday, the Guyanese Head of State tasked Prime Minister, Mark Phillips to lead the coordination efforts.
This decision was taken on Tuesday during a meeting with stakeholders at State House, Main Street, Georgetown. In addition to that meeting, President Ali in his capacity as the Chairman of Caricom convened an emergency response meeting with regional leaders to evaluate the initial damages caused by Hurricane Beryl.
While the outcome of that meeting is unknown, Guyana Times understands that the President has reiterated Guyana’s support during this difficult period.
Nevertheless, as Hurricane Beryl continues to wreak havoc, reports suggested that it could impact southern portions of the Dominican Republic and Haiti late Tuesday evening into Wednesday.

Destruction
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves during a media brief on Tuesday stated, Hurricane Beryl has left immense destruction, pain, suffering, across our nation.” He noted that hundreds of families are uncertain about their future.
He noted that Union Island has been devastated and from reports he received, 90 per cent of the houses were either destroyed or severely damaged. The roof of the Union Island airport, he added is “gone.” He added that he is yet to be briefed on the destruction caused to other smaller airports.
On the other hand, Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell confirmed that three people were killed and “possibly more”, after Hurricane Beryl battered Grenada and its sister islands.
He added that his Cabinet was slated to meet in an emergency session on Tuesday evening, following the meeting of CARICOM leaders earlier in the day “where we will begin to plan to [recover from] the devastation brought by Hurricane Beryl”.
He told a news conference “Clearly this is a traumatic event in our history coming on the 50th anniversary of independence and we have no choice but to rise from the ashes and to remain united and to build.”

Assistance
Apart from Guyana, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley on Monday evening stated that Trinidad and Tobago is ready to assist its Caribbean neighbours who were affected by the hurricane.
“As we remain prepared to support Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines during this challenging period, we are reminded of the saying, ‘there but for the grace of God go I,” Rowley stated.
In addition, Samaritan’s Purse based in North Carolina airlifted a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and over 24 tons of life-saving supplies to the Caribbean.
Its DC-8 aircraft took off to Grenada with 13 members of our DART along with 600 rolls of tarp, 3,000 solar lights, a desalination unit, 300 collapsible jerry cans, and a mobile medical unit. The team assessed the hardest-hit areas and provided aid to those in need.
Further, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) are working to mobilise and coordinate assistance and disaster relief efforts in the affected region.
Airline closure
As Beryl approaches Jamaica, the Sangster International Airport will be closed from Midnight on Tuesday. The authorities stated that after the hurricane passes, they will assess when it will be safe to reopen.
As such, it urges persons wanting to travel to Jamaica to check with their airline and resort to make other arrangements. Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport was opened on Tuesday to light air traffic after a complete shutdown on Monday.
In addition, the Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman will cease Airport Operations at 18:00h while the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport on Cayman Brac will cease Airport Operations at 15:00h on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
Caribbean Airlines have also cancelled several flights in and out of the affected countries including Jamaica.