The UK government has increased the relief fund for British overseas territories devastated by Hurricane Irma from £12m to £32m. The news came as a state of emergency has been declared in the British Virgin Islands, the latest area to be devastated by the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the Atlantic. The British Red Cross has also launched an appeal.
Prime Minister Theresa May gave a statement on the UK government’s response to Hurricane Irma yesterday. She said:
No one can fail to be affected by the absolute desperate plight of people in the Caribbean who have been hit by Hurricane Irma. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected, particularly with the British nationals in our Overseas Territories of Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.
This has been devastating. It’s the most powerful storm to hit the Atlantic, it’s brought devastation in its wake. It’s destroyed buildings and infrastructure, but it’s had such an impact on people’s lives because people have seen their livelihoods completely destroyed, and of course some people are missing, and some will have lost loved ones.
We have taken action, we have moved swiftly. We have people on the ground, £32 million has been released. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Mounts Bay is in position, providing assistance from Royal Marines and Army Engineers and a military task group is on its way on HMS Ocean with several hundred UK troops. Of course we will continue to look at what is needed, and we will provide what is necessary.
We must not forget that there is a further storm on the way, and that the Turks and Caicos Islands still lie in the path of Hurricane Irma. But that won’t stop us from providing the assistance that is needed, and doing everything we can to help.
“When crisis hits, it is right that the world looks to Britain for its leadership and the UK has already provided lifesaving support.”
Updating on the UK’s response to Hurricane Irma, International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:
When crisis hits, it is right that the world looks to Britain for its leadership and the UK has already provided lifesaving support.
The UK has already sent emergency UK aid relief supplies including 200 shelter kits, each able to support a family of five, providing immediate relief to 1,000 people who have lost their homes.
I have sent world leading humanitarian experts to the region who are working with the British Red Cross to urgently assess need and ensure that the UK’s help reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by the destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma.
Background
- The most powerful hurricane ever to hit the Atlantic has devastated buildings and infrastructure – and worse, it has done irreparable damage to families and communities. Several have lost loved ones, and some in the region are missing.
- The UK Government has announced extra emergency support to provide assistance to those affected by the deadly Hurricane Irma, the most powerful of its kind ever recorded.
- RFA Mounts Bay, which has 40 Royal Marines and Army Engineers on board, and her personnel are on site helping local authorities to restore vital support such as clean water, sanitation, temporary shelter and if required, medical assistance
- The ship houses equipment to move earth or debris, repair infrastructure to provide clean water and transport water Equipped with boats and helicopters to access affected islands, the ship also carries emergency relief supplies.
- A task force has been sent to the region, and over the next 24 hours troops and engineers will deploy with helicopters to support the relief effort. We have also sent a command headquarters to co-ordinate our efforts.
- With the danger posed by Hurricane Jose which will hit areas already affected by the storms we are diverting a second ship to the Caribbean, our flagship HMS ocean, to bring the help that will be needed in reconstruction after the hurricanes have passes.
- Today’s support can also be used to charter flights to deliver additional aid supplies into the region, or heavy machinery if needed.
- Three humanitarian experts were sent to the region ahead of Hurricane Irma to assess needs on the ground and help prepare for the disaster.
- A fourth adviser has also been sent and will arrive later today to provide vital expertise to help co-ordinate the response.
- MapAction, a British charity funded by UK aid, has sent a two person Disaster Mapping Team to the Caribbean to support mapping and information management for partners on the ground.
The British Red Cross has launched an appeal for those affected by Hurricane Irma, the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
The category five hurricane has the potential to be the most destructive and deadly storm in the Caribbean for many years.
It made landfall on the Leeward Islands in the north-east Caribbean on Wednesday and is still moving.
It is predicted to rip through Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba before hitting Florida.
Red Cross teams in Anguilla and Barbuda are reporting extensive damage. Tropical Storm Jose is also gathering strength and set to follow in wake of Irma.
Red Cross volunteers in every country in the hurricane’s path have been helping communities to prepare, from gathering relief items to sending first aiders to shelters. They stand ready to support in the aftermath, too.
This includes the British Red Cross’ Overseas Branches Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Given the strength and scale of the storm, and early reports of damage, it is clear there will be humanitarian needs.
Assessment teams will be going out in affected areas early today to get a clearer understanding of what those needs are. The Red Cross knows from past experiences of hurricanes in the region that likely concerns will be water, health and shelter.
Ben Webster, head of emergencies at the British Red Cross, said: “Given the scale of the anticipated emergency, any response will likely be highly complex. Some of the islands that are expected to be hit are isolated, and lack basic infrastructure.
“The impact on those communities could be catastrophic. Red Cross volunteers have been making sure communities are braced for this storm, and we’re ready for a massive, multi-country relief and recovery effort.
“Many of the Red Cross branches are already in response mode as they have been dealing with floods in the weeks before Hurricane Irma. Now they must prepare for another emergency – and another storm is following behind.
“British Red Cross has emergency aid ready to go from the regional warehouse, and our aid workers are on standby to support the response as needed, as part of the wider Red Cross Movement operation.”
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