U.S. offers $50,000 Hurricane relief fund

In the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas, which has caused tragic deaths, damaged homes, schools, and businesses, displaced Vincentian families, and severely damaged the transportation infrastructure, the United States Government is providing emergency relief funds to respond to the needs of disaster affected people in St. Vincent.{{more}}

On October 31, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean D. Brent Hardt declared a disaster due to the effects of Hurricane Tomas. In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is providing US$50,000 through the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown for the local procurement of emergency relief supplies to assist storm-affected populations.

In addition to these funds, the U.S. Government is transporting immediate supplies to St. Vincent from USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) stockpiles in Miami. Planes carrying emergency materials arrived in St. Vincent November 2. This shipment will serve the needs of approximately 1,000 storm-affected families, including 1,056 hygiene kits, 1000 water containers, 1,000 blankets, and 100 rolls of plastic sheeting. The materials will be distributed by local partners.

The United States Embassy remains in close consultation with the Government of St. Vincent to assess needs and potential additional support. OFDA’s Regional Director for the Caribbean and Central America will be in St. Vincent for further consultations with the Government and its National Emergency Management Office (NEMO).