Caribbean Situation Report #1 - 6 July 2024

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on 1 July 2024 as a category 4 major hurricane. It has affected several Caribbean countries and territories, with the populations of Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines being significantly impacted.

Grenada's mainland has only been mildly affected, but its sister islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have been critically damaged, with 98% of the infrastructure destroyed, including destruction of health facilities, along with power outages and disruption to water supplies and telecommunications. Initial reports suggest that 6,980 persons have been affected.

Severe damage has been recorded in the Grenadines, including Union, Canouan and Mayreau Islands. Around 98 per cent of infrastructure has been destroyed in Bequia and Union Islands, including schools and hospitals have been destroyed in the Union Islands. Initial reports suggest that almost 5,000 people have been affected.

In Jamaica, the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth have been most severely affected by Hurricane Beryl. Impacts across the island also included fallen trees, wind damage to infrastructure and roofing, flooding and storm surges. More than 400,000 people have been affected by power outages.

UNFPA is supporting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) rapid needs assessments missions in Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, supporting a mapping exercise of GBV services and updating referral pathways to ensure GBV survivors can access appropriate multisectoral services.

In Grenada, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs Unit, the GBV Unit and other partners, UNFPA is facilitating safety audits in shelters, providing information on sexual and reproductive health, GBV and available services, and distributing dignity kits which include basic hygiene items to women and girls in need.