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News > Latin America

Venezuela, Trinidad & Tobago Ready Aid for Hurricane-Devastated Dominica

  • An aid plane is being loaded in Caracas for Dominica which was badly hit by Hurricane Maria.

    An aid plane is being loaded in Caracas for Dominica which was badly hit by Hurricane Maria. | Photo: teleSUR

Published 19 September 2017
Opinion

The Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt's call has been heard and efforts are being made to send aid to Dominica.

All communications are down in Dominica after it was hit by Category 5 Hurricane Maria Monday night, but several countries are already mobilizing to help the Caribbean island as it is certain to face a major recovery period.

RELATED:
Hurricane Maria Devastates Dominica, Aims for Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico

By all accounts, the destruction of the island is almost complete. The radio silence from the island seems to fit this narrative.

In his last Facebook post, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerritt said, “It is too early to speak of the condition of the air and seaports, but I suspect both will be inoperable for a few days. That is why I am eager now to solicit the support of friendly nations and organizations with helicopter services, for I personally am eager to get up and get around the country to see and determine what's needed.”

His call has been heard and efforts are being made to send aid to Dominica.

The Venezuelan government is currently preparing to send 18 tons of humanitarian aid to its neighbor. Dominican Senator Jahisiah Benoit, who was in Caracas attending the "We Are All Venezuela" summit thanked the Bolivarian Revolution for its immediate and substantial response to his country's call for help.

Senator Benoit was at the airport while the Venezuelan aid was being loaded onto the plane. He said, "In this sad moment for my country, with reports of destruction, where even the prime minister was affected, we thank the people of Venezuela for this solidarity action."

The aircraft will be filled with medicine, food, water and matresses and will be escorted by 40 emergency experts, including 10 doctors.

Trinidad and Tobago has also responded to Dominica. Prime Minister Skerritt had asked for helicopter assistance from “friendly nations.” The Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has said it is currently coordinating the twin-island nation's response with its Ministries of National Security and Foreign and Caricom Affairs.

RELATED:
Dominica's Social Media Users Share Dominica's Terror

The OPM released a statement saying “As soon as it is safe, a National Helicopter Services Limited helicopter will be sent to Dominica with Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force personnel. The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard is also preparing to send a supply vessel and to take Defence Force personnel as well as supplies up to Dominica.”

This is the second hurricane in as many weeks to have affected Dominica. It escaped the wrath of Irma, another Category 5 hurricane, but now finds itself having to recover from Maria.

The region's disaster management agencies have been hard hit this hurricane season. Guyana has only just sent its first aid package to islands affected by Hurricanes Irma and Jose to Antigua, St Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on Sunday.

The Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency is still yet to make a statement, but if the situation is as dire as it is believed to be, getting into the devastated island may not as yet be possible.

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