UN program begins distributing food in the Caribbean to Beryl victims

The UN program brought food to the victims / Photo: EFE

The United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) launched this week its plan to distribute food to victims of Hurricane Beryl on the Caribbean islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.

WFP has therefore brought 5,000 boxes of food products, containing canned meat and cooking oil, enough to feed some 15,000 people for ten days, said Brian Bogart, director-designate of the international organisation’s multi-country Caribbean office, in a statement.

Bogart said half of the supplies were purchased and packaged on the island of Barbados and shipped to Kingstown, the capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, in an effort between WFP, the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (Cdema), the Barbados Defence Force and civil society.

Commitment

“WFP is committed to helping affected communities whose lives and homes have been devastated by the hurricane. Our teams are working hard to deliver food and assistance to the most deprived communities,” Bogart said. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Grenada, were the hardest hit by Hurricane Beryl more than a week ago.

The agriculture and fishing sectors were the most affected by the powerful winds of the powerful Category 5 hurricane.

The cyclone has also brought great economic challenges to the residents of these islands, particularly those who need to consume dietary foods due to their respective health conditions.

PMA

WFP is also providing logistical support for the humanitarian response alongside Cdema, and coordinating shipments of electric generators, drinking water tests, temporary shelters and hygiene equipment from international organizations.

The forecast indicates that a total of between 17 and 25 storms might form this year, that is, with maximum sustained winds above 62 kilometers per hour.

Barbados / EFE