Americares, the relief and development agency based in Stamford announced on July 2 that it was dispatching a team to Jamaica in anticipation of damage and emergency needs when Hurricane Beryl reaches the island country.
The Category 5 Hurricane is expected to produce wind gusts up to 155 miles per hour, and is among the earliest storms of its strength in recorded history. It made landfall in Grenada on July 1. Thousands of people have been displaced and more than 100 shelters have been opened.
Damaged infrastructure already includes a medical laboratory and psychiatric facility.
“A hurricane of this magnitude across multiple islands presents major logistical challenges,” said Americares Director of International Emergency Response Cora Nally. “It’s going to take a lot of coordination between relief organizations and local partners and governments to ensure aid reaches those most in need. Based on our past experience with similar storms we can anticipate survivors will need assistance with mental health support and replacing medications lost in the storm.”
For more information or to donate to relief efforts, visit https://my.americares.org/give/471094/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=DI2106U4
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