RFA Mounts Bay has already delivered six tonnes of
emergency aid to Anguilla, the British Overseas Territory
devastated by Hurricane Irma, and has now arrived in the
British Virgin Islands to provide further support.
The ship has been deployed in the Caribbean since July in
preparation for the hurricane season, ready to provide
support at a moment’s notice. Tasked by the Royal Navy,
she was the UK’s first military response to the
Caribbean.
Today (Friday, 8 September):
-
three trucks were loaded with 19 tonnes of UK aid
buckets with lids for washing clothes, and solar
lanterns at DFID’s Disaster Response Centre at Kemble
Airfield, Gloucestershire. This is a total of 10,000
UK aid buckets and 5,000 solar lanterns
-
a C17 RAF flight heading for Barbados took off from
RAF Brize Norton with a further 2.2 tonnes of UK aid
shelter kits on board – a total of 192 kits.
The UK was the first to arrive in Anguilla and a team of
British humanitarian experts have been in place since
last week to work with authorities and direct the
humanitarian response.
International Development Secretary said:
More than 20 tonnes of urgently needed UK aid shelter
kits, buckets and solar lamps are being sent to areas
of the Caribbean devastated by Hurricane Irma.
Today, I have also doubled the number of UK aid experts
deployed in the disaster zone and our expert
humanitarian teams are working at pace to ensure the
aid reaches those who need it.
UK aid is already on the ground, providing emergency
relief, with more on its way.
Three DFID 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 expert has also
been sent, arriving yesterday, to provide vital expertise
to help co-ordinate the response. An extra four are on
their way to the region today.
These experts are working with the British Red Cross, and
national and regional disaster management agencies, 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.
DFID has also been involved in important work ahead of
this crisis to make sure this region is better prepared
to deal with the effects of natural disasters.
Hurricane Irma continues to move through the Caribbean
toward the Turks and Caicos, and it is expected that
Hurricane Jose will reach the British Virgin Islands
soon. Last night the Governor of the British Virgin
Islands declared a state of emergency.
Yesterday the PM pledged £32m of disaster relief to the
area. The UK Government deployed Royal Navy vessel,
Mounts Bay ahead of the disaster in preparation.
On arrival in Anguilla, the crew worked to clear the
airport runway and restore power and communication
services. In the British Virgin Islands, Mounts Bay will
assess the extent of the damage to the island and work to
restore essential services.
All British nationals in the affected areas, which now
includes Cuba and Florida, should refer to FCO travel
advice and social media for updates.
