Hurricane Beryl: Message of Condolence from Japan Foreign Ministry to Caribbean Region

Hurricane Beryl caused destruction all over the nations of St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Following this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has sent the deepest condolences to the Government and the people of both the countries on Monday, July 8.

The hurricane beryl has caused destruction to the various parts of the island nations and even caused loss of life. Schools, churches private residences, nothing was spared by the disaster. The Beryl became the earliest category 5 hurricane on Monday night when its winds increased to 160 mph.

As per the national hurricane centre, the storm surge in the Windward islands reached 6 to 9 ft above normal tide levels, resulting in bringing large destructive waves to the coast.

The Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves addressed the nation regarding the passage of hurricane Beryl. He stated that it was very saddening to receive such reports of Union Island and the Southern Grenadines. However, he assured the citizens of the island nation that the government and affiliated agencies are desperately making measures to establish their communications with certain sections and gather information related to the extent of damage to the mainland.

Kamikawa Yoko, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Japan, reached out to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Keisal Melissa Peters and Joseph Andall, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Grenada, to send heartfelt condolence and on the damage and losses caused by Hurricane Beryl to the mentioned Caribbean nations.

On July 8, Kamikawa stated that upon the request made by the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a decision to provide emergency commodities and relief goods like tents, portable jerry cans, sleeping pads, etc., was taken by the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in order to respond to the damages and loss brought forth by Hurricane Beryl.

This step was taken keeping the traditional bond between Japan and St Vincent and the Grenadines in mind and an approach with humanitarian perspective.