BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, has given the people of storm-ravaged Anguilla the assurance that they have the support of his Government.
Anguilla, a British overseas territory, is one of a number of islands that sustained catastrophic damage from Category 5 Hurricane Irma.
Johnson, who is on the island surveying the extent of damage, told Radio Anguilla yesterday (Sept. 13) that he had seen a number of homes without roofs.
But he however noted that he was impressed with the people of the island and the way “they are putting this together”.
“I had a great talk last night with the Chief Minister and I can see that there is a plan to get back on their feet. The message I want to give everybody listening is, the UK is here, the UK is here to support.
“We understand that this is absolutely a terrible time but it is very, very pressing, and it is impressive to see the way people are pulling together.”
The Prime Minister, according to Johnson, promised an additional $25M to assist the overseas territory.
Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands were the two overseas territories that were in Hurricane Irma’s path when it hit the Northern Caribbean.
The Foreign Secretary had held meetings with a number of high-level individuals on those islands.
He noted that in the interim, they are working to provide a stable electricity supply to citizens and residents, and getting the schools up and running.
The UK Government is looking to make a massive investment on the islands that would not have to see it repeating same for a number of years.
According to Johnson, people of the UK are generous in their donations and the Government would match whatever is donated “pound for pound”.
The matched figure, it was noted, is in addition to the sums that are already donated to the islands.
“If I’m to put it right, [it] is about $57 million that we have pledged,” Johnson said.
