Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs,
2 November 2004
Thank you for your letter of 20 October about
Hurricane Ivan and the level of assistance the UK Government is
providing to the Cayman Islands.
The UK government played a key role in the immediate
aftermath of the hurricane. Officials in both DFID and MOD moved
swiftly to enable HMS Richmond and RFA Wave Ruler to sail from
Jamaica to stand off Grand Cayman. As soon as the weather allowed,
the crews assisted in a civilian capacity to help restore essential
services in key locations such as the airport and hospital.
We also deployed Consular Officials from our
High Commission in Kingston and Consulate in Miami, to Grand Cayman,
Miami and to other regional airports, to assist passengers leaving
the Islands. In addition we have reinforced the Governor's Office
with a short-term Acting Head of Governor's Office at First Secretary
level.
DFID provided emergency relief supplies and
also sent two experts out to work alongside Cayman Islands Government
(CIG) officials. In consultation with Governor and the National
Hurricane Committee (NHC), they returned to Jamaica on 15 September
from where they maintained close contact with the NHC. The UK
Government also funded some emergency medical supplies provided
by the Pan American Health Association (PAHO) and contributed
to the response of to International Federation of Red Cross Societies.
DFID's Overseas Territories Disaster Management
Adviser made an early visit to Grand Cayman and remains engaged
providing expert advice both on th. recovery effort and disaster
preparedness for the future. DFID have also funded a study to
determine Hurricane Ivan storm characteristics and preparedness
criteria in Cayman and the Caribbean.
The FCO's Overseas Territories Law Enforcement
Adviser arrived in Grand Cayman on 15 September, providing essential
guidance and advice to the local security forces from the outset
of to recovery operation. On his recommendation, we made it possible
for a contingent of 26 police officers from Bermuda, the Turks
& Caicos Islands and to British Virgin Islands to travel to
Grand Cayman to provide short-term support for the local police
force.
The UK government also made a contribution towards
the transport and salary costs associated with the deployment
of a contingent from to Bermuda Regiment to assist with the clean-up
operation.
In London, the FCO established an operations
room, backed up by the 24-hour FCO Response Centre, to monitor
developments and to co-ordinate our response. The team worked
closely with the CIG Office in London. We also established a call
centre to provide information and assistance to members of to
public concerned about friends and family in the Cayman Islands.
In the short to medium term, the pace of recovery
and overall community spirit continues to be strong and the overall
situation improves on a daily basis. Although a housing damage
audit is not yet complete we understand that 283 people remain
in shelters and CIG/NGO funding for housing repairs is well underway.
Private/public sector community partnerships have made it possible
for a busy schedule of cruise ships to commence and air tourists
are likely to be readmitted from the end of the month (in time
for the US Thanksgiving holiday).
To address the medium to long term recovery
needs, CIG engaged the services of international disaster recovery
specialists and UN/ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America
and the Caribbean) experts to assist in the compilation of a comprehensive
socio/economic/environmental impact assessment. We have sent the
FCO's Overseas Territories Economic Adviser to Grand Cayman to
assist the CIG team and its advisers in putting this assessment
together.
As you know Hurricane Ivan was one of the most
powerful hurricanes to hit the Caribbean for many years, causing
widespread devastation. I attach two recent statements made by
the Secretary of State for International Development, which give
a detailed summary of the support provided across the region.[6]
It will inevitably take some time for the Cayman
Islands, and probably longer for the poorer Caribbean islands
in Ivan's path, to recover from a natural disaster of this magnitude.
The UK government will continue to be engaged in the recovery
effort and will work with the Cayman Islands Government, to rebuild
their lives and livelihoods.
I am copying this reply to Hilary Benn and Tony
Baldry.
Rt Hon Jack Straw MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
2 November 2004
6 HC Deb, 14 September 2004, col 1125; HC Deb, 12 October
2004, col 14WS. Back
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