A COMPREHENSIVE update on the current conditions in Dominica, the concerted relief efforts on the ground and the way forward were outlined by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit during an hour-long press briefing yesterday morning.
Far from the crestfallen Prime Minister seen last week following the deadly impact of Category 5 Hurricane Maria, PM Skerrit was filled with determination and resolve yesterday as he rallied Dominicans to recognise their role in the recovery effort.
He also pointed to the assistance which is coming from the OECS countries and CARICOM partners and further afield including the United States, the United Kingdom and as far as China and United Arab Emirates, to name a few.
Skerrit revealed that fourteen 40ft. containers of food and relief supplies are being shipped to Dominica from Antigua over the next few days, and two schooners are set to leave Barbados today. Included are supplies from the Government and people of Barbados, as well as other supplies purchased by the Dominican government on behalf of the people of Dominica. He explained that a line of credit with “certain suppliers” in Barbados was opened. “They will keep the regular supply of food going until conditions are regularised,” he said.
He also revealed that special relief flights from LIAT will continue until the food situation is under control. PM Skerrit also gave a progress report on the water, electricity and telecommunications to the island, which were also hard hit during the hurricane.
The Prime Minister revealed that US$3 million has been made available through the UNDP to allow persons in the community to be paid to help in the clean-up process. He stressed that the roads must be cleared in order to get supplies to affected communities.
“This country will have lots of food and supplies and the intention is to get all of it to the people in the quickest possible way. But we have to be orderly,” he said, noting that anytime officers have to be
diverted to attend criminal matters, it is less time spent on distributing resources.
He assured that every household will be reached and that there will be equitable, non-discriminatory distribution of supplies, adding that strict instructions have been given not to store food, but to get them out to residents as quickly as possible.
Skerrit revealed that lawlessness of any kind will not be tolerated, adding that the 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. curfew will be reviewed under the advice of the Chief of Police and Commander of the Regional Security System on the island.
Noting that it is too early to put a dollar value on the devastation of the island, he stated that every community in Dominica was affected during the passage of Hurricane Maria. This includes agriculture, which was totally wiped out.
“I can tell you that as of next week, I want Roseau to start planting. We are going to start harvesting some of the plants that survived; we will provide the support...,” he said. “Let’s plant peas, cucumbers, lettuce, short-term crops so we can start feeding ourselves with important crops. We are going to start planting almost immediately, once we can get the supply out and people can start to address the shelters temporarily.”
He thanked the cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise lines, noting that a commitment of 1 000 igloos has been made. The first 150 should be on the island by October 3 while the other 850 should arrive in coming weeks.
Acknowledging the needs on the ground, and the level of displacement, he guaranteed that every household will be reached and encouraged residents not to complain and murmur, because help is on the way and everyone must work together in the interim. “Recognise this is not an 8 to 4 job anymore, this is a 24/7 job... Stop the negative talk. If you have nothing constructive to say, keep your mouth shut or keep your fingers off the keypads. What we need is hope, what we need is inspiration, what we need are prayers ... so we can rebuild the country and restore the lives of those impacted,” he said. (JH)