Americares’ Post

My heart goes out to all my colleagues, friends and their families in the Eastern Caribbean who were affected by Hurricane Beryl. Natural disasters increase the risk of human trafficking in several ways: 1) Increased vulnerability - internally displaced persons, especially women and children, are at higher risk of exploitation due to their vulnerable situations. 2) Breakdown of social structures: disruption of community and family networks, leaving individuals without support systems. 3) Economic hardship: The economic fallout from disasters can push individuals into desperate situations, making them more susceptible to traffickers’ promises of work or financial stability. Hurricane Beryl decimated many fishing vessels and tourist establishments in Carriacou, Grenada 4) Law enforcement challenges: In the chaos following a disaster, law enforcement and social services may be overwhelmed, reducing their ability to prevent and respond to trafficking. 5) Disruption of education: School closures can leave children unsupervised and more vulnerable to traffickers. So, what can be done to reduce vulnerabilities and build resilience: -Provide immediate humanitarian assistance and support services - safe shelters, psychological support, legal aid, and economic opportunities to disaster survivors -Ensure the presence of law enforcement or some type of security and safety -Maintain family reunification services to protect at-risk individuals. To achieve the above, a country would need to collaborate with other governments, NGOs, and international organizations to address both immediate and long-term needs following a disaster.

Hurricane Fiona was one of the worst storms to arrive on our shores. It taught us a lot about community resilience and preparing for extreme weather. This week, the Government of Canada took another step to ensure #NovaScotia residents can weather the next storm. Three climate comfort centres in Cape-Breton-Regional-Municipality will better serve community members during and after emergencies, thanks to support from ACOA that will help provide generators and upgrade emergency power and lighting. Climate comfort centres help hold our community together during severe weather events and other emergencies by giving people a place to get a hot coffee and power their devices, find a spot to catch up on important news, attend to work matters, or check in with family, friends, and colleagues. So far, 32 climate comfort centres in CBRM, #RichmondCounty, #InvernessCounty, #GuysboroughCounty and Town-of-port-hawkesbury have received funding to support and shelter citizens when they need it most. Read more about these important community projects: https://ow.ly/JNMB50QqwQt

As hurricane season begins, it's crucial to recognize the rising number and severity of natural disasters. Governments at all levels, alongside agencies like FEMA, play vital roles in disaster preparedness and response. These organizations provide essential services such as shelter, food, medical assistance, and financial guidance to affected communities. Our latest blog explores the critical roles and coordination efforts of these agencies in helping communities rebuild after catastrophic events. Read more to understand how we can better support those impacted by natural disasters. #DisasterResponse #EmergencyManagement #HurricaneSeason #NaturalDisasters #DisasterPreparedness #CrisisManagement

🚨 Weather Alert: Hurricane Beryl Approaching Texas Coastline… Key Preparedness Tips: 1. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest updates from reliable sources such as NOAA and local weather services. 2. Emergency Kit: Ensure your emergency kit is stocked with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, and important documents. 3. Secure Property: Safeguard your home and property by securing loose items, boarding up windows, and checking for potential hazards. 4. Evacuation Plan: Have a clear evacuation plan in place and know your evacuation routes. 5. Community Support: Check in on neighbors, especially the elderly and those with young children, to ensure they are prepared. First Onsite is here to help! Stay safe, everyone.

On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall as a category 1 storm in New Jersey. Before reaching the U.S., #Sandy caused flooding, power outages, food shortages and wind damage in the Caribbean, then continued its path northward along the eastern coast of the United States and later into Canada. #HurricaneSandy affected 8 countries, including 24 states within the U.S. Today, we remember the lives lost and the damage caused by Sandy’s extensive path of destruction. #TeamIEM is committed to helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from #hurricanes and other emergencies to create a more #resilient future. #emergencymanagement #resilience #hurricaneseason #disasterpreparation #disasterresponse #disasterrecovery #safesecureresilient

With Hurricane Idalia on the horizon, we want to ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes our way. We are monitoring the storm's progress, and all IPS locations are open and ready to assist you – whether for preparations or emergencies. Our coast-to-coast disaster response services are here to provide you with a network of resources so you're equipped to weather the storm. Below are some helpful tips to help you prepare ✔️Stay Informed: Sign up for local weather alerts and keep track of the latest updates from the National Weather Service. ✔️Stock Up: Gather enough supplies for your household, including medications, water, and pet items. ✔️Know Your Zone: Determine if you're in an evacuation area and be familiar with evacuation routes. ✔️Have a Plan: Create a family emergency communication plan if you're in potentially affected areas. ✔️Avoid Floodwaters: Never drive through flooded areas. Even six inches of water can impact your vehicle's control. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gtRFxxmT #OneIPS #RespondRethinkResolve #HurricaneIdalia

The 2024 Atlantic and Caribbean hurricane season, predicted to be exceptionally active due to La Niña conditions, is in full swing and causing pervasive damage. 🌪 Hurricane Beryl, now the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded, has caused extensive damage and disruptions across several #Caribbean islands, affecting populations, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The widespread impact has created urgent humanitarian needs across multiple sectors. The DEEP Remote Analysis Support Team is being deployed during the Atlantic and Caribbean #Hurricane Season to support with Secondary Data Review and Analysis through continuous data monitoring and reporting. 🔍 Here you can find our second report, which provides a detailed overview of the priority needs, affected areas, priority groups, and sector-specific needs: https://lnkd.in/dUhYYuCM

Hurricane Beryl has left devastating damage across the Caribbean islands. Unfortunately, this new reality of ‘unprecedented hurricanes’ is becoming the annual and ever-present reality for Caribbean countries who are facing the brunt of climate change. Our teams on the ground have confirmed that Beryl's life-threatening rains and winds have severely impacted the most vulnerable populations in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, and Jamaica. It is estimated that roughly 90% of the Grenadine islands have been impacted. Local Red Cross teams are supporting assessment and relief efforts. Supplies including tarpaulins, hygiene kits, blankets and kitchen sets have been dispatched to the affected islands. The IFRC will continue to support the Red Cross teams' response across the Caribbean. https://lnkd.in/e3S2ydFD

As Hurricane Beryl approaches the Windward Islands, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure that you remain connected and informed during this critical time. Our priority is your safety and maintaining the reliable communication services you depend on. We have been operating in the Caribbean for more than a century and we are well equipped, and we stand ready to respond to any eventuality. We also pay tribute to our colleagues who have been hard at work over the last few weeks conducting simulation exercises and strengthening the networks. As the leading telecoms provider in the Caribbean, we know our communities are depending on the connections we provide, especially during these critical moments. We remain committed to delivering reliable communication services and standing by our customers during times of need. While we are hopeful that no customers will be significantly impacted by the effects of Hurricane Beryl, we must also ensure that we are ready to face that reality and we are prepared to respond. Stay safe, stay connected, and together we will weather this storm. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ #HurricaneBeryl #StayConnected #Preparedness #SafetyFirst #Telecom #Caribbean