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Hurricane Beryl, the strongest June hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean, has left a trail of catastrophic destruction across the Caribbean, particularly affecting the island of Carriacou in Grenada. Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, described Carriacou as virtually "flattened", with the entire population of the island severely impacted.



Initially a tropical depression, Hurricane Beryl rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm, briefly reaching Category 5 status with winds reaching 240 km/h (150 mph). After making landfall in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, it is now projected to approach southern Texas, USA.


Springett highlighted the immense logistical challenges in providing aid to Carriacou, where roads remain impassable and communication was only recently restored. International assistance from nations like France, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago has been dispatched to support relief efforts.


Dennis Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica and the Bahamas, emphasized the coordinated humanitarian response with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and international partners. Assessments of damage are ongoing in Jamaica, with significant impact reported, especially in rural areas and vulnerable communities.


UNICEF reports that over 650,000 people, including 150,000 children, were in Hurricane Beryl's path across several Caribbean islands. Many have lost their homes and are seeking refuge in temporary shelters. UN agencies are mobilizing supplies and funds to provide life-saving assistance, including clean water, communication access, and livelihood support, underscoring the urgent need for sustained international aid.