Turks and Caicos Islands Government approves $100,000 for Dominica

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government, in its 22nd Meeting of Cabinet held on Wednesday September 9th, 2015 in the nation’s capital Grand Turk, agreed to a relief fund of US$100,000 to assist with the restoration efforts in Dominica which today remains a state of emergency following the recent passage of TS Erika on August 28, 2015.

The Tropical Storm which dumped some 10 inches of rain in just a few hours in the Caribbean country left in its wake twenty persons dead and many others missing. The Government of Dominica has reported that TS Erika destroyed over 370 dwelling homes, devastated villages and wrought infrastructural damages amounting to some US$228 million dollars.

Premier and Minister of Health, Agriculture and Human Services of the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Hon. Dr. Rufus W. Ewing, following the Cabinet meeting commented, “Dominica has suffered greatly as a result of the passing of TS Erika and countries everywhere, who are in a position to do so should assist where possible to help to meet the needs of the displaced and to assist in restoring their lives to normalcy. I am pleased that we are in a position to assist financially and while the grant is but a dent in the estimated value of damages, we know from the devastation of Hurricane Ike in 2008 that every little bit helps. We will keep Dominica in our prayers.”

The $100,000 relief fund will be appropriated from the Turks and Caicos Island Contigency Fund, a reserve source account intended for emergency spend such as this.