UK sending help to the BVI; other Overseas Territories

 

The United Kingdom (UK) has begun to send help to several of its Overseas Territories ravaged by Hurricane Irma, including the British Virgin Islands.

A BBC report says hundreds of military personnel are öbeing sent to the region while a UK government hurricane relief fund has now risen from £12 million to £32 million.

A British Navy ship has already arrived in the region and a second ship is also being sent, but is not expected to arrive for another two weeks, according to the BBC report.

Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan has been quoted as saying the British Virgin Islands is in need of “extensive humanitarian assistance”.

News of assistance follows reports that the UK government is being criticized for its handling of relief efforts to its Overseas territories impacted by Irma.

According to reports, Dorothea Hodge, a former UK EU representative for the government of Anguilla, has urged the UK government to follow the example of France in responding to the hurricane. France, it is said,  has committed to an emergency fund and a reconstruction plan to deal with the aftermath of the storm.

Hurricane Irma made landfall in the British Virgin Islands yesterday leaving a trail of destruction.

Several persons have lost their homes, telecommunications services are down and water supply disrupted.

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