UK relief efforts in the aftermath of the hurricanes continued this weekend with the arrival of HMS Ocean in the Turks and Caicos islands today (Sunday 1 October).
So far 180 tonnes of vital UK aid has arrived in the Caribbean to help those in need of food, shelters and water following the two recent category five hurricanes.
To date, 3,000 shelter kits, 5,000 solar lanterns and 10,000 buckets have been distributed in the region and DFID has 36 humanitarian experts still based across the Caribbean and Overseas Territories to assist with the coordination and support of relief.
Residents living in the remote villages of Dominica were provided with six tonnes of water, as well as kitchen sets, tents and building materials such as timber, which were delivered by helicopters this week.
HMS Ocean arrived in the Turks and Caicos Island today to provide further supplies to those dealing with the destruction caused by the extreme weather.
Building materials provided by DFID have enabled schools in Anguilla to open from next week and much needed cash distributions funded by DFID for those affected in Antigua and Barbuda began through the Red Cross over the weekend.
The UK Government is also doubling all public donations to the Red Cross appeal to help the victims of Hurricanes Maria and the earlier Hurricane Irma, which is already over £2million.
International Development Secretary Priti Patel said:
The UK is leading the way in the relief effort following these devastating hurricanes; delivering emergency food, water and shelter to those who need it most.
Even though the hurricanes have gone, we will be dealing with the trail of destruction for the next few weeks, months and years. That is why we have pledged £62 million to the recovery efforts and last week I was able to see first-hand how UK aid is in helping those in the worst-hit areas.
The UK has committed £62m to the relief effort, including a £5m UK aid package for Dominica, the island worst hit by Hurricane Maria. HMS Ocean arrived in the British Virgin Islands last week to provide further support to those affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. A total of 60 pallets of Emergency Relief Stores were on board to assist with the longer term recovery effort, including plywood, timber and construction equipment, as well as 200 pallets of UK aid. This included 5,000 hygiene kits containing essential items such as soap and torches, 10,000 buckets and 504,000 water purification tablets. Over 11 tonnes of food and water have been procured locally. Thousands more shelter kits and buckets are on the way from the UK.
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