Eastern Caribbean’s aid appeal in wake of Hurricane Tomas

The governments of the Eastern Caribbean islands of St.Lucia and St.Vincent and the Grenadines have appealed for funding from international development partners to help repair vital infrastructure in the wake of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Tomas between 29-31 October.

The two Eastern Caribbean islands were battered by torrential rains and gales of up to 90 miles per hour lasting almost 24 hours, destroying both lives and the countries’ economies.

Fourteen people died in St.Lucia. There are reports of many more still missing. Several towns and villages have been cut off from the rest of the country.

The Brussels-based Embassy of Eastern Caribbean States (ECS) says that the hurricane caused widespread and severe damage to critical infrastructure such as telecommunications, electricity and water utilities, roads and bridges. Thousands of homes were destroyed by land slippage, flooding, mudslides and strong winds.

Embassy officials say that over a thousand persons altogether have been displaced with hundreds still in disaster shelters on both islands.

They also report that banana crops, an economic mainstay for both islands have been entirely wiped out.

“The economic consequences of this catastrophe have yet to be determined and may be worse than Hurricane Allen that hit Saint Lucia and St.Vincent and the Grenadines in 1980,” read a statement of the Eastern Caribbean Embassy.

“Damage assessments are being conducted by the respective governments and will assist in evaluating and determining the quantum of financial and assistance that will be required to weather the consequences of this violent hurricane,” added the statement.

The government of Haiti has also requested EU support for tents, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and hygiene and water purification kits following Hurricane Tomas.

European Commission officials say they have alerted the 31 countries participating in its Civil Protection Mechanism of the request and are ready to facilitate the deployment of aid that is forthcoming.

In addition, the European Commission’s Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection says its will respond to humanitarian needs for Haiti through financial assistance to the Commission’s from the EU’s partners on the ground.