The Prime Minister gave a statement on the UK
government's response to Hurricane Irma.
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.
