BASSETERRE, St Kitts– St Kitts and Nevis has allocated an EC$1 million (US$370,370) humanitarian relief package to assist Dominica in its recovery from damages suffered by the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.
This announcement was made by Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris at the completion of a special session of the St Kitts and Nevis Cabinet on Friday.
St Kitts and Nevis’ assistance to its fellow Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) member state came after conversations between Harris and Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, who indicated that damage to his country was monumental, resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructural damage that has isolated several communities.
Erika left in its wake over 20 people dead and over 50 missing in Dominica with torrential rains that caused mudslides and widespread devastation.
The Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is currently in Dominica conducting a needs assessment and Harris said that other support and services for Dominica would be forthcoming based on their report.
Minister of State Senator Wendy Phipps will coordinate St Kitts and Nevis’ national effort in support of Dominica.
Complementing the call on Friday by Antigua and Barbuda’s newly appointed ambassador and nominee for the post of Commonwealth secretary general, Sir Ronald Sanders, for urgent international help for Dominica, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has also donated US$100,000 towards the Dominica relief effort.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Lyme Bay has been rerouted to assist humanitarian relief efforts in the Commonwealth country of Dominica following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced on Friday.
The British ship is carrying a range of disaster relief stores including bedding, shelter, torches and stretchers, as well as a Lynx Mk 8 helicopter and considerable supplies of fresh water.
RFA Lyme Bay is stationed in the Caribbean and as part of its primary tasking acts as a first responder in the event of a disaster in the region.
Greening said: “It is clear that Dominica has borne the brunt of this storm, with a number of deaths already confirmed and hundreds of people made homeless. Roads, bridges and health clinics have been affected and large parts of the island are without water and electricity.
Read more at www.caribbeannewsnow.com
