“It only takes one hurricane to wipe out years of socioeconomic progress,” says UN

The trail of destruction that Hurricane Beryl has left so far in Caribbean countries is just the beginning of what is predicted to be an extremely intense hurricane season in the Atlantic, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the United Nations secretary-general, said on Tuesday (2).

“It only takes a single hurricane to make landfall to wipe out years of socioeconomic progress,” Dujarric said, quoting World Meteorological Organization Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett.

The spokesman said the UN would send its emergency teams to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the coming days, adding that the organization had received reports of severe damage to homes, communications, infrastructure and power supplies there.

“Logistics will be a challenge given the islands’ dispersion, damaged infrastructure and limited accessibility,” Dujarric said.

At least six people have died due to Hurricane Beryl.

Hurricane season could worsen living conditions in Haiti

“Haiti could be hit by heavy rains, winds and landslides due to Hurricane Beryl,” the UN Secretary-General’s spokesman said.

“This year’s hurricane season could worsen the living conditions of millions of Haitians who are already facing a complex humanitarian crisis marked by violence, displacement, food insecurity and precarious access to basic social services,” Dujarric said, adding that humanitarian agencies are in “close contact” with Haitian authorities.

“According to the most recent estimates, around 300,000 displaced people in Haiti are children, which represents approximately half of all internally displaced people in the country,” he added.

“The south of the island — specifically the departments of Sud, Sud-Est and Grand’Anse — could be severely affected in the next 24 hours,” Dujarric said, stressing that UN agencies are prepared to provide “immediate assistance” if needed, including food and cash aid.