Press release from RET HQ

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – Hurricane Beryl is currently making its way through the Caribbean, becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic with winds peaking at 165 mph, or 270 kph. A hurricane is considered major at Category 3 or higher, and while Beryl has since weakened (on Wednesday, July 3, it was a Category 4), it is still a significant and potent force making its way through a region that is still recovering from hurricanes of years past.

Haiti, the Cayman Islands, and the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico have issued a hurricane warning, while Belize has issued a tropical storm watch. In addition to wind and torrential rains, hurricanes also bring storm surges that can flood communities and overwhelm emergency services.

Donate today to help with RET’s hurricane recovery efforts in affected countries.

Since 2019, RET has worked with governments around the region to develop and enhance inclusive disaster risk reduction and management strategies, while also focusing on capacity building. Particularly, in the state of Quintana Roo, RET has developed a partnership with civil protection authorities providing comprehensive training for over 200 state and municipal officials earlier this year; additionally, the Cancun International Rescue Brigade has been credited as Mexico’s first entire volunteer Urban Search and Rescue group.

Hurricanes like Beryl emphasize the importance of this preparatory work, as well as demonstrate its life-saving potential. It also underscores the pivotal role that cooperation among various levels of government can play in effective response measures. The immediate aftermath of these disasters can be a window for effective humanitarian response or, in the worst of cases, a second disaster as aid is unable to reach those that need it most. Our team in Mexico continues to monitor the situation and in close contact with relevant authorities over the prevention and effects of Hurricane Beryl.

Climate change will continue to exacerbate the impacts of hydrometeorological and other disasters in the Caribbean region and across the world, and it is urgent that governments, civil society organizations, and other actors remain commitment to safeguarding communities from the increasingly devastating impacts.

As part of our disaster risk reduction and management work, we have focused on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities during emergencies. The UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean estimates that 12% or nearly 66 million people in the region live with at least one disability, making their inclusion in disaster planning and management even more critical.

RET is dedicated to promoting an inclusive paradigm among government officials, striving for a more equitable and inclusive approach in our disaster response strategies. To help us respond to Hurricane Beryl and continue providing long-term solutions and support for disaster risk reduction across Latin America and the Caribbean, consider donating today.