Britain’s commitment to “stand by” Caribbean islands laid to waste by hurricanes Irma and Maria has been re-affirmed by the Government which has announced a further £15 million in support.
The development comes ahead of the Prince of Wales’ visit to the region with the new International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, where they will meet survivors, see the devastation for themselves and thank the military and NGOs for their efforts.
The cabinet minister, who is making her first overseas visit since replacing Priti Patel, announced the new financial package – £12 million for Dominica and £3 million for Antigua and Barbuda.
Ms Mordaunt said: “The UK aid mission was huge, covering small islands stretching more than 1,000 miles apart, where buildings, airports and infrastructure had been razed to the ground.
“I want to pay tribute to the governments of the Overseas Territories, our humanitarian staff and to the military effort, which has been absolutely essential in delivering relief.
“Now as we move on from the immediate response phase, on to the long-term future of the islands, Britain will continue to stand by people whose lives were devastated.
“We are also talking to the international private sector who can support the reconstruction efforts to make sure the islands can build back, and better.”
Hurricane Irma, the most powerful storm to barrel through the Caribbean in decades, devastated huge swathes of the British Virgin Islands in September and left Barbuda almost uninhabitable after destroying nearly all of its buildings.
Less than two weeks later, the region was rocked by a second major storm, Hurricane Maria which decimated Dominica and Puerto Rico.
With the announcement of the £15 million package – plus £15 million recently allocated for the affected Overseas Territories of Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Turks and Caicos – the
UK Government has now committed £92 million to help recovery and long-term reconstruction in the region.
Dominica will receive £17 million in total from the Government to fund a range of needs from debris clearance and other immediate problems to long-term reconstruction.
For Barbuda the money committed will be allocated once the priorities for reconstruction have been agreed with the local authorities, and funds for the Overseas Territories like BVI will help with re-establishing power, repairs to air and sea ports and support for policing.
Charles’ three-day tour to Antigua and Barbuda, BVI and Dominica begins later on Friday when he will hear from Barbudian families, living in a shelter on Antigua, about their experiences of hurricane Irma.