Environment
UN Official Describes Total Devastation In Carriacou Following Hurricane Beryl
The island of Carriacou in Grenada has been left completely devastated by the devastating Hurricane Beryl, according to a senior UN official. Humanitarian teams are ramping up their support to communities affected across the Caribbean.
Speaking via video link from Grenada, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, described Carriacou, where Beryl first made landfall on 1 July, as a scene of total devastation.
“The entire island is completely affected, that is literally 100 per cent of the population,” he said. Hurricane Beryl is the strongest hurricane in history to form in June in the Atlantic Ocean. Initially a tropical depression, it rapidly intensified into a Category 4 storm and briefly reached Category 5 status, with winds up to 240 km/h (150 mph).
Mr. Springett highlighted the situation as a “very complicated crisis”, one that is marked by severe logistical and access challenges. Four days after the hurricane hit, roads on the island are impassable and communications were only restored last night, he said. Nations near and far are dispatching aid, with a French ship arriving in Carriacou later in the day as well as assistance from Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Springett said. Also speaking, via video link from Bahamas, Dennis Zulu, the Resident Coordinator for Jamaica and Bahamas, echoed international collaboration. Detailed assessment of damage in Jamaica and in other island nations supported by his office are ongoing, Mr. Zulu said. According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 650,000 people – including 150,000 children – in Barbados, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago were in the path of Hurricane Beryl.
The UN agency for its part had pre-positioned life-saving supplies before the storm and is mobilizing supplies and funds for the response. Similarly, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has also deployed teams to the affected islands, supporting authorities with assessments and early response. Earlier in Geneva, Vanessa Huguenin, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said that while humanitarians have been preparing for this hurricane season, “such a strong storm this early is extremely rare.”
The Atlantic storm season runs from June through the end of November, with 17 to 25 named storms expected
Environment
“Florida Battles Devastation: Hurricane Milton’s Destruction and Resilience Efforts”
Hurricane Milton ravaged Florida with fierce winds, flooding, and tornadoes, leaving 16 dead and millions without power. Communities face widespread destruction, as stories of survival and rescue emerge, including daring evacuations and rebuilding efforts. As officials warn against disaster sightseeing, residents and authorities focus on recovery. The storm highlights the urgent need for climate action and preparedness, as Floridians confront the realities of living in a storm-prone state.
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Business
Echoes Of Unfulfilled Promises In Nigeria’s Journey
As Nigeria commemorates its 64th Independence anniversary, the stark contrast between celebration and the persistent challenges of corruption, mismanagement, and unfulfilled promises becomes evident.
The editorial revisits historical attempts at reform, such as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission’s (ICPC) prosecutions and the House of Representatives’ inquiry into the unfulfilled $14.5 million aircraft repair contract. Many of these initiatives have faded from public memory, leaving questions about accountability unresolved.
High-profile corruption cases, including the Halliburton scandal involving alleged bribes of $180 million, highlight systemic failures within the political landscape.
The editorial emphasizes the need for collective action from citizens, civil society, and the media to demand transparency and accountability. It warns that without addressing these entrenched failures, Nigeria’s path toward democracy and good governance may continue to be fraught with unfulfilled promises.
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Environment
CARICOM Development Fund donates $270,000 to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for Hurricane Beryl Relief
The CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) has donated US$100,000 (ap-proximately EC$270,000) to the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to support recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl.
The funds, drawn from the CDF’s Emergency Disaster Assistance Facility (EDAF), will aid in the removal and transportation of debris from the three Grenadine islands of Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island.
The grant will finance sea transportation of the debris for safe recycling in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, protecting fragile ecosystems and establishing access corridors for relief de-livery.
Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, caused widespread damage and three deaths in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, particularly on the Grenadines islets.
Read also : CARICOM Heads of Government Unite in Grenada to address Regional Challenges
The CDF’s EDAF is a quick response facility designed to ad-dress natural or man-made disasters that exceed the affected country’s ability to cope. The CDF is also working with affected Member States to sup-port the early restoration of livelihoods, promoting regional cohesion and addressing disparities.