Samaritan’s Purse has airlifted 24 tonness of emergency supplies to the Cayman Islands, among other Caribbean regions devastated by Hurricane Beryl.
The Category three hurricane, with winds reaching 120 mph, has already claimed ten lives.
On Wednesday 3rd July, the storm's powerful winds and heavy rain ravaged Jamaica’s southern coast and other areas. By early Thursday, it was near Grand Cayman, continuing its destructive path west-northwest, as reported by CNN.
According to The Christian Post, Samaritan’s Purse dispatched a DC-8 loaded with essential supplies, including tarps, solar lights, water units, and a mobile medical unit from Greensboro to aid those affected by the hurricane.
Franklin Graham, president of the organisation, called for prayers for the storm’s victims and their relief teams. He told the news outlet: “We started building out pallets of cargo before the hurricane even made landfall and are now on the way with life-saving aid." He urged believers to join him “in praying for the families who are in the path of this storm, and for our Samaritan’s Purse staff who will be serving them".
The relief efforts are in cooperation with local churches to ensure the efficient distribution of aid. Amid concerns for regions like Haiti, World Vision highlighted the critical need for disaster preparedness and infrastructure improvement to mitigate catastrophic impacts.
As Beryl advances toward Mexico it's expected to make landfall near Tulum as a Category 2 storm before heading into the Gulf of Mexico. Communities are braced for continued severe weather.
The hurricane has already caused significant destruction across the Windward Islands and Grenada as a Category 5 storm.
The disaster prompted discussions on the importance of financial support for rebuilding efforts in affected areas. Christian Aid emphasised the urgency of funding for loss and damage recovery to help victims rebuild their lives.
With ongoing rescue and recovery operations, Caribbean communities face the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl's destruction as it moves toward Mexico.