The United States of America on Wednesday announced on it “stands in solidarity with the people of Dominica and all those across the Caribbean region” affected by Hurricane Maria.
“The United States stands ready to work with you and our international partners to provide immediate disaster relief,” said US Department of States spokesperson Heather Nauert in a statement.
Best possible package of assistant
“We are in the process of coordinating the best possible package of assistance,” she added. “The recent natural disasters underscore our interconnectedness and the importance of strong partnership with the Caribbean.”
Ongoing Task Force
Nauert said the US Department of State has an ongoing Task Force working to determine the extent of the damages, to coordinate evacuation efforts, and to provide assistance to US citizens in the affected countries.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Caribbean region,” she said.
Puerto Rico ravaged
Hurricane Maria, the most powerful storm to make a direct hit on Puerto Rico in almost a century, ravaged the island on Wednesday, knocking out all electricity, deluging towns with flashfloods and mudslides and compounding the already considerable pain of residents.
Less than two weeks ago, another powerful storm – Hurricane Irma dealt the island “a glancing blow,” killing at least three people and leaving nearly 70 percent of households without power.
Hurricane Maria, which made landfall on Puerto Rico at 6.m on Wednesday, as a Category 4 hurricane, took out the island’s entire power grid, and only added to the woes of a commonwealth that has been groaning under the weight of an extended debt and bankruptcy crisis.
Hurricane Maria also slammed into Dominica late Tuesday.
The storm has devastated infrastructure and led to at least 15 deaths.
