BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 22nd, 2016 (PRESS SEC) — Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris has pledged approximately EC$1 million to Haiti and the Bahamas, as the two countries work to rebuild and recover in the wake of Hurricane Matthew.
Prime Minister Harris’ weekend announcement came after the Cabinet of Ministers received and considered a recent report prepared by CARICOM Chairman the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, the Prime Minister of Dominica. Chairman Skerrit’s report detailed the extent of the hurricane impact on the two countries.
Dominica’s Prime Minister assumed the Chairmanship of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government on July 1st, 2016 for the period up to December 31st, 2016. Last July, Dominica was not able to host the 37th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference because of extensive damage from Tropical Storm Erika. Guyana hosted the Conference instead between July 4th and 6th, 2016.
Prime Minister Harris reached out to Prime Minister Skerrit after Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica in August 2015 and pledged similar financial support for the country.
“We are prepared as a people not only to sympathize with those who suffer, but also to extend a helping hand,” the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis said during his National Address last Saturday night on ZIZ Television and Radio.
“We are happy to be in this position, to experience the satisfaction of giving to others,” Dr. Harris added.
Discussing the aid package to the Bahamas and Haiti on Saturday, Prime Minister Harris stated that, “Cabinet pledges its support to these islands totaling just over $1 million dollars. This amount will be shared between the two countries on an equitable basis, taking into account the damage and economic health of each member state.”
Addressing the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Harris noted that, “We have been fortunate so far to be spared the ravages of a hurricane for the 2016 season.”
