OECS Commission relief operations after Hurricane Irma and Maria - Update Thursday October 05, 2017

The OECS Commission continues to mobilise emergency relief to OECS Member States impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  The following note summarises operations to October 05, 2017

NB: The National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela have now concluded their successful cargo drop missions into Dominica and an update on their activities will be provided later today 05, October 2017.

1. A shipment of 70 types of medication valued at EC$12,000 was sent by the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service through the assistance of the Ambassador of Grenada to the OECS, Dr Patrick Antoine and was distributed to three specifically targeted communities in Dominica: Soufriere, Scotts Head and Galleon.

2. Landing permission has been obtained to enable a plane from Cuba to land at Douglas Charles airport in Dominica.

3. Support to Dominica has been provided by Khalsa Aid. The UK-based humanitarian organization provided essential items to Anguilla after Hurricane Irma, such as food packs, flash lights and batteries. The humanitarian organisation has now left from St. Lucia to go to Dominica.

4. Arrangements were made with NEMO in St. Lucia (National Emergency Management Organization) to send medical supplies by boat from Amerijet shipment to Dominica.

5. Discussions with the manufacturers of Caribbean Grains have concluded in an agreement comprising a free shipment of flour and feed to Dominica. The containers are being prepared for a departure planned on October 13.

6. The Commission is working with FAO, CARDI and Saint Lucian based agricultural consultant Mr. Peter Dillon to establish seedling projects in Dominica (and the other impacted OECS Member States) to grow seedlings of fast growing food crops such as tomatoes, eggplant, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, lettuce, cabbage and kale. The project will engage unemployed youth or students studying CSEC Agriculture to help restore food security.

7. A group of seventeen facilitators safely arrived in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday October 01, 2017 to provide psycho social support to children affected by Hurricane Irma. Upon arrival, the team completed the necessary preparation work for the workshop and program with affected children. Facilitators have been out in various zones to provide much needed psycho-social support to children. In an effort to build capacity at the national level, a three day training of trainers program is being conducted concurrently.

Further information will be communicated in the next daily note.