14/09/2004

Government steps up hurricane relief effort

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn today announced that Britain is to provide more emergency assistance to the Cayman Islands and Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan.

As well as flying out supplies to the region, the Government has dispatched two humanitarian advisers to assess the situation in the neighbouring islands. Around £83,000 worth of aid has already been sent by the government to support emergency health personnel.

Two royal Navy vessels, HMS Richmond and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Wave Ruler, which have lent assistance to the recovery operations in Grenada and Jamaica are currently engaged in helping police to restore security in Grand Cayman.

Ivan has hit Cuba although it is believed to have only affected the far west and south west of the island, which had been evacuated.

In a statement today UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has extended his sympathies to the families of victims of Hurricane Ivan. Mr Annan said he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life and destruction inflicted by Ivan and urged the international community to support the relief effort.

In Grenada a team of UN officials are currently arranging relief supplies for up to 8,000 people in temporary shelters. As many as 60,000 people in the region are thought to be homeless.

Latest weather reports show the storm veering west. The Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the south-eastern United States are still considered at risk.

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