UN allocates $2.5 Million in emergency funds to Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl

The United Nations (UN) has announced an initial allocation of US$2.5 million in emergency funds to the Jamaican government to aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

UN official Dennis Zulu outlined the planned use of these funds during a virtual news conference on Friday.

Zulu, the UN Resident Coordinator for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized the UN’s readiness to support Jamaica. “We are happy to know that the government is very receptive to UN support and goodwill,” he stated.

Zulu explained that the funds would focus on cash transfers and housing assistance for those most affected. “Some of what we are looking at is getting some of the money out there in terms of income support because some of the people who have been affected have lost livelihoods,” he said.

“We are really looking towards supporting them in terms of some cash transfers, definitely shelter is one thing we are looking at because some of their buildings and houses have been destroyed, and ensuring the provision of clean drinking water so we don’t have an outbreak of disease.”