Barbados continues to play a vital role in the UK’s delivery of humanitarian aid, to islands hardest hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Janet Douglas, expressed this sentiment today.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are to the Barbadian government and people, and particularly the Barbados Defence Force, for their outstanding cooperation in responding to the humanitarian crisis following Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” she said.
“Our Barbadian colleagues could not have been more welcoming, generous and professional. Quite simply, this huge and complex operation could not have happened without Barbados. This is another great example of how our countries stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of adversity.”
Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands
From September 8, the British Armed Forces have had a large presence in Barbados, with several heavy aircraft stationed at the Grantley Adams International Airport. The airport has been the hub for the urgent distribution of water, food and shelters to Caribbean communities that have been devastated by the storms.
Deputy Chief of Staff in the UK military task force, Neil Jones, who has been deployed to Paragon Base, added that the support from local authorities has been “excellent”. He further noted that Barbados has always been a great friend to the UK and it was heartening to see this relationship in action.
“Without support from the airport authorities, the Barbados Defence Force and the Government, our aid simply could not have made it into the hands of the people who needed it. Barbados enabled this operation and that means lives have been saved. People here should be really proud of that,” said the British Commander.
To date, the Royal Air Force has moved more than 1,300 British personnel through Barbados. The Royal Navy’s flagship, HMS Ocean, is also committed to the operation, carrying more than 60 tonnes of aid and helicopters to help distribute aid.
