The United States is providing US$100 000 in emergency relief funds in response to the needs people in St Lucia and St Vincent affected by the passage of Hurricane Tomas.This comes in the aftermath the recent disaster, which has caused tragic deaths, damaged homes, schools, and businesses, displaced hundreds of families, and severely damaged the transportation infrastructure in both countries.  On Sunday, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean D. Brent Hardt declared a disaster due to the effects of Hurricane Tomas for St Lucia and St Vincent.  In response, the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is providing US$50 000 to each country through the US Embassy in Bridgetown for the local procurement of emergency relief supplies to assist storm-affected populations.  In addition to these funds, the American Government is transporting immediate supplies to the two most severely affected countries from USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) stockpiles in Miami.  Planes carrying emergency materials arrived in St Vincent yesterday and St Lucia today. These shipments will serve the needs of approximately 1 000 storm-affected families in each country, including 1 056 hygiene kits, 1 000 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 Governments of St Lucia and St Vincent to assess needs and potential additional support. OFDA’s regional director for the Caribbean and Central America will be in St Lucia and St Vincent in the coming days for further consultations.  A USAID/OFDA disaster risk management specialist is also in St Lucia conducting damage assessments in coordination with the Government and the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) with the support of additional USAID/OFDA consultants.
