The Bermuda Red Cross has put out a call for donations to support those affected by Hurricane Beryl, which battered the Caribbean recently.

A Red Cross spokeswoman said in a statement that while efforts to prepare in advance of the storm bore fruit, an international campaign has been launched with the goal of helping 25,000 of those in the greatest need.

“In the initial days, the focus will be on the distribution of relief items and short-term shelter solutions that will cover people’s immediate needs,” the spokeswoman said.

“Over time, however, the plan is to also carry out interventions that help people ensure access to dignified and safe shelter — focusing on building back better — as well as provision of cash and vouchers for specific goods.

“It will also offer various supports for restoration of livelihoods. Due to the storm’s impact on infrastructure, many people on the islands have been left without an income.

“In Barbados, the fisheries industry and small-business owners along the southern coastlines were heavily affected by storm surges that caused widespread damage.

“Health interventions are also planned to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. National societies will focus on supporting people’s hygiene needs as well as safe water, mainly through the delivery of household water-treatment kits.”

The Red Cross relief effort began before the storm first made landfall, with teams preparing relief packages and moving supplies as close as possible to the areas forecast to be hardest hit.

“By the time Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados, it was classified as a Category 4 hurricane,” the spokeswoman said.

“High winds toppled trees and power lines, tore entire roofs from houses and, in some cases, blew buildings completely off their foundations.

“On the islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique, more than 95 per cent of homes were either damaged or destroyed, according to official estimates.

“Aerial photos showed large swaths of destruction where neighbourhoods once stood. Nor did the storm spare health facilities, airport buildings, schools or petrol stations.”

Hurricane Beryl went on to strike Jamaica, the strongest storm to do so in almost 17 years, where it downed power lines and caused landslides, hindering the recovery effort.

“Thanks to storm warnings, thousands of people gathered safely in shelters,” the spokeswoman added. “But the storm also claimed lives.

“Authorities have so far confirmed at least 15 deaths — five in Grenada, five in St Vincent & the Grenadines, two in Jamaica and three in Venezuela. But the number could still rise as the assessment continues.”

The Red Cross said the early preparation paid off with volunteers able to quickly begin handing out supplies, providing first aid and assist those who had been hard hit by the storm.

However, the Red Cross noted that it was still early in the 2024 hurricane season with more storms expected to follow.

“This is one reason the emergency appeal also supports interventions aimed at reducing people’s vulnerability to future disasters and enhancing community disaster response,” the spokeswoman said.

“With Hurricane Beryl now one week in the past, residents must now try put their lives back on track while at the same time getting ready for whatever might come next.

“This is the new reality that Caribbean small island nations face as hotter-than-normal water temperatures in the southern Atlantic and Caribbean act as fuel for storms, causing them to intensify quickly into major hurricanes.

“This gives communities less time in between storms to recover and prepare.”

Those who wish to support the campaign can make donations to the Red Cross campaign through Butterfield Bank account number 20-006-060-663859-200, or through www.bermudaredcross.com.

The spokeswoman added: “The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation through the Red Cross.

“Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation.

“The Red Cross initially responds to most international relief efforts with monetary support and, when needed, ships items such as comfort kits, clean-up kits, medical supplies, tarps and water.”