BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Government of St. Christopher and Nevis has taken the decision to give monetary assistance to flood-ravaged Dominica, as it begins on a path of reconstruction and restoration.
Tropical Storm Erika passed by the island late last week, dumping inches of rain on it, which led to massive and widespread flooding and landslides.
A Cabinet briefing issued today (Aug. 31) explained that Prime Minister the Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris had spoken with Dominica’s leader, Prime Minister the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, who informed that the loss suffered by the island as a result of the storm and flooding was significant.
It also led to the loss of lives and “monumental damage to private and public property and infrastructure” according to the briefing.
In addition to expressing condolences to PM Skerrit, PM Harris “reiterated…this country’s commitment to assist Dominica in its rebuilding efforts”.
And as such, “Cabinet took a decision to provide the Government and people of Dominica initial support in the amount of EC$1M and that was immediately conveyed to Prime Minister Skerrit by Prime Minister Harris”.
Supplementary to the monetary support, the Cabinet statement indicated that members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force “are currently on stand-by to join the Regional Security System (RSS) response team to assist Dominica”.
Last week, Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd informed that three members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force were in Dominica for RSS Jungle Training and were assisting the rescue efforts.
Groups and individuals across the Federation have taken the decision to send supplies to Dominica to assist the country in its time of need and rebuilding. According to the Cabinet briefing, the Government would await the results of a CDEMA mission on that island before shipping supplies there.
“Mr. Herbert advised that the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was on a fact finding mission in Dominica and that Cabinet should await the determination of the felt needs of the people before responding with supplies.”
The Cabinet release names Senator the Hon Wendy Phipps as the individual responsible for synchronizing the Federation’s support for Dominica.
