Gov't Breaks Down UK Aid To The Region

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Sherine Williams/BVI Platinum News

(PLTM) - There has been much public speculation about the overall aid received from the United Kingdom (UK), the BVI's mother country.

At a recent sitting of the House of Assembly, Premier Hon. Dr. D. Orlando Smith sought to put those speculations to rest, by giving a breakdown of the post-Irma aid provided by the UK to the region and Territory thus far.

The Premier was asked to provide a breakdown of the UK's aid by Opposition Member, Hon. Julian Fraser.

In response, the Premier explained, "The UK Government says as of mid-October, it has allocated some 57 million pounds (to the region) to the immediate response efforts and agreed to match it up with a further 3 million pounds of public donations to the Red Cross Appeal."

A breakdown of the 57 million pounds shows that 32 million pounds came from the Conflict, Security and Stability Fund, 15 million pounds came from the Treasury Reserves and another 10 million pounds came from the UK Department For International Development (DFID). The BVI has benefited from these funds.

The Premier also said an additional 1.3 million pounds was raised from the UK public for the region.

His statement regarding UK aid also touched on the aid DFID provided to the countries that were battered by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

"...DFID established a logistics hub in 3 locations (Dominican Republic, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda) to ensure the swift movement of relief supplies and to support procurement from Miami and Panama. HMS Ocean arrived with 60 tonnes of DFID supplies and these were deployed according to need after the passage of Hurricane Maria," the Premier said.

Premier Smith said an additional 43 RAF transport flights, more than 4 tonnes of food and water, more than 816 shelter kits, as well as radios, debris cleaning equipment, building materials, generators and communications equipment have been provided to the BVI through UK aid.

The UK has also provided military and police personnel to assist with security in the Territory.

Earlier this month, the BVI's mother country also provided 3 pick-up trucks, 3 flat-bed trucks and 2 bucket trucks to assist with debris cleaning around the Territory.

Despite calls from some sections for the UK to do more for the BVI, Premier Smith said he is heartened by the UK's support thus far and is looking forward to more support in the future.

Some BVI residents told BVI Platinum News that they believe Prince Charles' visit to the BVI last weekend is a sign that more aid will be coming from the UK.

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