US continues support to Dominica

US embassyAs Dominicans work to regain a sense of normalcy following Tropical Storm Erika, the Embassy of the United States of America has released an additional USD$100,000 to expand its disaster-relief support to the island.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), is providing the additional USD$100,000 in funding to augment an initial USD$50,000 humanitarian assistance contribution made to the Dominica Red Cross Society. USAID/OFDA is currently coordinating its support on the ground to ensure that assistance reaches the most hard-hit communities and individuals.

The U.S. Government’s initial USd$50,000 contribution enabled the Red Cross to procure and distribute household clean‐up kits along with other essential relief items such as buckets, jerry cans, kitchen kits, and tarpaulin to several communities including, Pichelin, Grand Bay, Bagatelle, Fond St. Jean, and Pointe Carib.

USAID/OFDA also provided USd$10,000 emergency relief funding that supported the island’s immediate needs in the days following the storm. This Government of the United States of America has supported the rapid deployment of Surge Consultants to assist with damage assessment; secured vehicle rental and fuel for the Red Cross and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for delivery of relief supplies, and funded clean-up and restoration of the Meteorological Services building housed at the Douglas-Charles airport which was flooded.

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, USAID deployed a six-member assessment team to Dominica to provide initial damage assessments and needs analysis, and provide on-island coordination of the United States Government’s disaster response efforts. In addition to visiting impacted communities, the team has collaborated with local government and Disaster Management Officials as well as representatives from the Red Cross, the Pan American Health Organization, and other National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) officials.

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25 Comments

  1. Lenty
    September 26, 2017

    Usa is the big papi of the world no questions ask thanks America

  2. A Daughter
    September 10, 2015

    Always a Great Idea to Listen, be Patient and Read.

  3. Danziger
    September 10, 2015

    To the Americas, we are extremely grateful to you for your support towards us thank you.

  4. James A. Evans
    September 10, 2015

    Thank you my adopted country. my native coun try wrotr you off. But you did not let that deter uou. Thank you, for using my tax money wisely ,God bless Dominica and The USA

  5. The Real Facts
    September 9, 2015

    Some people do not know what they are saying. No matter what and what America is like, it always assists when in time of need. If per chance they may not do so right away, rest assured they will in time and soon enough. Patience is required.
    Know that if there was a country at war with Dominica, America would come to its rescue.
    Remember the attempted coup in Grenada and when Ronald Reagan was in power? This should tell you much about America.
    Generally those countries assess the needs of those affected by a disaster. We must keep that in mind.

  6. September 9, 2015

    To anyone who is concern about D/ca relationship with Alba and why the USA is not helpin us as you all are expecting my question to you all is that.WAS OR IS New Orleans and Haiti part of Alba?

  7. Sisserou
    September 9, 2015

    I’m tired of politics. In this time of need we need to put our colours aside. We need to be purple, like the sisserou. Dominicans were out helping neighbors regardless of politics. Let’s get back to doing things because it is the right thing to do and accept that PMs and other government people are just trying to bring Dominica back

    • Barbara Saunders
      September 10, 2015

      Sisserou

      You sound just as frustrated as I get sometimes. I mean we almost got all washed out to sea with Erika’s waters and as soon as the waters subsided and in spite of the death and destruction and the yoeman efforts of the Dominican government and so many regional and international agencies and governments and our local people putting their hands to the plough, some of us in this country just continued from where we left off!

      Some judging other people by their own standards; others making wild accusations; several stirring up more controversy and division; and a group sitting in the US trying their best to prevent that country and others from giving Dominica assistance by telling all kind of wild stories on social media. Sometimes I think that this is what gives these people purpose in life, to wake up every morning with a new hate story, never thinking of how it might damage Dominica and they have the gall to say that they love Dominica.

      Can I be part of this? No!

  8. Green Gold
    September 9, 2015

    Thank you for the assistance thus far USA. However, with the magnitude of rebuilding to be done throughout the country, it would be superb if the US could send a battalion from the Army Corps of Engineers to assist with the rebuilding and resettlement of various citizens around the country.

  9. September 9, 2015

    People like smart fool and evangelist will continue to twist the facts in this article to support the lie that the Government did not ask the US for help. Dominica was a recipient of USAID before it joined Alba and it still continues to receive USAID, a simple call to the US Embassy can confirm that. The EOC and disaster management officials are all government officials they are part of a Government institution created by law. Dominica is not part of the USA, and as such any team from the US coming to do a damage assessment would of necessity have to deal with the Government. No longer are countries giving aid without ensuring that the aid gets to the people who need it and in times of disaster when there is a functioning Red Cross countries like the US send aid through the Red Cross. Long story short if the government did not want USAID they would not take it and they would not allow US consultants to do any assessment….

  10. Thank you to the USA and ALL the many countries who come to Dominica’s AID. We appreciate everyone of you. Neutral, some supporters of the UWP (and I said some) because there are many UWP supporters who are in solidarity with the government and people of Dominica. But no one can please everyone no matter what you do.

    As I see it, there are those who were wishing and hoping, no one would’ve come to Dominica’s aid even if their families and supporters and friends and colleagues and themselves are all in the same boat. For these people we pray. They need to be negative to be relevant. We asked God to forgive them because they know not of what they do and say, I firmly believe.

    We must continue to Thank God for our Honourable Prime Minister and his Government and team of professionals and others doing their best and ask God to continue to give them health and strength to do what have to be done in rebuilding our country. As we remember our dead and those suffering.

  11. ATKINSON
    September 9, 2015

    Thanks America for the help. But i thinks they could do better. A minimum of a million U.S dollars and the suspension of visa fees for us work be good

  12. Smart fool
    September 9, 2015

    What the people of Dominica need to ask is whether or not the ALBA agreement signed by Dominica to kick USAID has been rescinded. Or is this US support simply through the conduit of the International Red Cross, who the US supports in order to help citizens regardless of their country’s political persuasion?

    Is Dominica stating it is no longer party to this ALBA deal now that we are in need and realize we can’t so easily make pronouncements that other nations can maintain?

    All we ask for is transparency. If we are now entering into warmer relations with the US, then lets say so!

    • CYRIL Volney
      September 9, 2015

      “Do not look a gift horse in the mouth”. Your comment reeks of troublemaking. The US will once again be our biggest benefactor, as after Hurricane David. First comes assessment, then assistance. THANK YOU, USAID!

  13. Mac
    September 9, 2015

    Like New Orleans and Haiti.

  14. alas
    September 9, 2015

    well done!!
    thank you for a speedy response to clean our main airport.
    well done…..like we know de US can do!!
    we knew you would never let us down!!

  15. The Evangelist?
    September 9, 2015

    In addition to visiting impacted communities, the team has collaborated with local government and Disaster Management Officials as well as representatives from the Red Cross, the Pan American Health Organization, and other National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) officials.

    That’s why I love the USA and God will always continue to bless this great land. They are always ready to help needy people and not corrupt politicians.

    I realized they have NOT been dealing directly with the government of Dominica and chose instead to deal with local government and other local groups I guess they expect to be still in tact from 1979. However, I hope they realize that since Skerrit and his corrupt team became the government, there has not been one single entity on island that has not been contaminated. For example, 99.9% of all local governments have been replaced by DLP operatives, the church is infected, the judicial system is wrecked, and no one you can trust. Dominica is in a big…

    • So So sad
      September 9, 2015

      Very well said

    • The Real Facts
      September 9, 2015

      You started off well but you corrupted the rest of your writing by being unkind. Your words gave you away. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:

  16. memoi
    September 9, 2015

    here you go.

  17. Neutral
    September 9, 2015

    So why LENNOX LINTON UWP TEAM saying that the US not assisting. UWPrites be aware. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Smart fool
      September 9, 2015

      Clearly, you did not hear Joshua Francis AND Lennox Linton who read out the USAID press release and made it clear the US was in Dominica assisting! People asked questions about US support and UWP gave CLEAR answers as opposed to vague mentions by the prime minister. Get YOUR facts straight “neutral”.

    • world peace
      September 9, 2015

      Neutral, if u were listening to the radio and not just people on the streets , u would know that lennox linton actually read the letter from the us embassy outlining the help dominica is to receive from the usa. that was done sometime early last week. i listened my self,.

  18. Jr
    September 9, 2015

    I guess as picky said anything is something . smh

  19. September 9, 2015

    God bless America. Always willing to do the right thing in time of diaster, and gradually, meet the needs of our people. Thanks to all for your assistance.

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