The Government of Montserrat has announced its plans to support the overseas territories and Barbuda which were critically affected by Hurricane Irma last week.
A statement from the Office of the Premier read as follows: “The Government is aware of the enormous stress of post-disaster adjustment, recovery and rebuilding and will join wholeheartedly in all stages going forward in collaboration with our neighbors; and welcome very much the rapid and timely response of our international partners to the situation in Barbuda, BVI, Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Government of Montserrat (GoM), is pleased to report that our Government response has been updated as follows:
“Through the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, Montserrat’s share contribution in the $2 million disbursement to the affected islands, calculates to about EC$250,000. These funds have been authorized and remitted by the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
“The Government of Montserrat advised the Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda that Montserrat will be providing its ferry for 2 trips per week (Monday and Friday) from Antigua to Barbuda.
“Also the ferry will be making a special trip to Anguilla shortly to deliver relief packages and water for the residents of Anguilla.
“The Ministry of Education as part of Montserrat’s response efforts to assist with relief to our neighboring islands that were devastated by Hurricane Irma, is opening our schools to students from Nursery to Secondary, especially those preparing for the CSEC examinations during this academic year. Three hundred and 335 students can be absorbed into our school system. At the Secondary 160 students, Primary- 100, Nursery- 75
“Within the next 48 hours, the Government will be liaising with the Red Cross and other private groups, in collecting relief supplies for the Overseas Territories and Barbuda. The community is asked to prepare immediately, because there is an urgent need for water and food supplies in the affected territories. Updates to the relief plan, will be relayed to the public, accordingly.”
