Press Release
16 September 2008
UK gives £7 million for Caribbean hurricane victims
The British Government will provide up to £7 million to help people devastated
by the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, International Development Secretary
Douglas Alexander announced today.
The humanitarian relief will go to Haiti, Turks and Caicos and other Caribbean
countries that have been badly damaged. DFID has already sent two humanitarian
advisors to the Caribbean to assess what humanitarian help is needed.
In Haiti, the funding will help to provide direct assistance to the estimated
800,000 people who have lost their home or do not have access to food or water.
The aid will be delivered through the Red Cross, the UN and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) and will provide food, water, health support, shelter and
agricultural recovery.
DFID has already provided support to the Red Cross to support its immediate
response in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It is estimated that approximately 50%
of houses have been destroyed in Grand Turk and there has been serious
infrastructure damage. DFID and the Royal Navy are also providing direct
assistance using helicopters to support the relief effort. This includes the
distribution of up to 1,800 jerry cans and 1,200 plastic sheets supplied by
DFID.
Douglas Alexander said:
"The recent hurricanes have caused damage and devastation across the Caribbean,
leaving many people without food, water or a home for the night. It is crucial
that we support the victims of this disaster and that is why the UK Government
is committing up to £7 million to help with the relief effort."
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Note to editors
1. Three hurricanes; Gustav, Hanna and Ike have hit the Caribbean over the last
week.
2. Haiti has been worse affected, where 400 people are believed to have died and
hundreds of thousands are severely affected. There is severe disruption to
supplies of water, food and shelter and there are significant difficulties
gaining access to remote areas.
