The UK Government has announced a substantial support package to aid Caribbean countries severely affected by Hurricane Beryl. The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, revealed today that the UK will increase support up to £500,000 to provide immediate relief for those impacted by the hurricane.
Hurricane Beryl, the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record to form in the Atlantic, caused widespread destruction across the region. The UK’s financial support aims to address the urgent needs of those whose homes and livelihoods have been devastated.
The support package includes 800 emergency shelter kits, capable of supporting up to 4,000 people, which have already been dispatched to Grenada and St Vincent and the Grenadines. These islands suffered significant damage earlier this week. Additionally, 1,620 buckets for household water collection and storage have been sent from pre-positioned supplies in the region as part of the UK’s preparedness plans.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy stated, “Our thoughts remain with those who have lost loved ones, their homes or have been left without power. This funding will help support disaster recovery efforts as part of a swift and coordinated response in the region. That such a storm has developed so early in the season shows that we are facing a climate emergency and must act now.”
In response to a request from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the UK has also facilitated the deployment of regional teams to assist national disaster offices. These teams will help with emergency operations, relief and logistics management, telecommunications, security issues, and sectoral assessments.
Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Trent has arrived in the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory, to provide necessary assistance to communities affected by Hurricane Beryl. Furthermore, two specialist Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Rapid Deployment Teams have been dispatched to the region to offer consular assistance to affected British nationals. A procurement and logistics specialist will also support the humanitarian effort.
The UK remains committed to working with Caribbean countries to enhance their resilience to climate change and natural disasters. The UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund has invested £350 million in climate-resilient projects across the region, including ports, roads, and water systems. Additionally, the UK has supported the development of Disaster Risk Finance strategies and invested in insurance initiatives to enable quicker recovery for affected communities.
This announcement underscores the UK’s dedication to aiding Caribbean nations in the face of increasing climate-related challenges and natural disasters.
