Relief efforts continue in Barbuda

October 11, 2017

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (Caribbean News Now) – While Antigua, the larger and more populous of the two-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, has reopened for business following the passage of Hurricane Irma, Barbuda with its 1,600 residents has just begun a long road to recovery.

Over 95 percent of the buildings on the island, including private properties and government facilities, were destroyed or extensively damaged in the category 5 storm.

To speed-up the relief and rebuilding efforts, the government of Antigua and Barbuda declared a state of emergency for Barbuda only and evacuated some residents on a voluntary basis. At the same time, emergency supplies of bottled water, cots and medicines were purchased by the government and planes chartered to fly them into the country.

The government of Venezuela also made two aircraft available to transport goods for Barbuda as well as a medical team of 20 doctors and nurses experienced in disasters.

Relief efforts, coordinated by the National Office of Disaster Services along with the Red Cross, have started in earnest with multiple relief flights and vessels landing on Barbuda.

Photo: Barbuda Post-Irma