Dominica, Antigua receive help from Japan

Hurricane-ravaged Dominica has received emergency relief supplies from Japan following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.

Dominica received emergency supplies through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which included 250 tents, 102 sleeping pads, 10 plastic sheets, 150 blankets, and 100 foldable water tanks.

The handing-over ceremony for the relief goods was held last week at the Douglas Charles Airport in Dominica.

Present at the handing over was Japan’s Ambassador to Dominica Mitsuhiko Okada and resident representative of JICA at the St Lucia Office, Tetsuhiro Ike. Receiving the supplies for the Dominican Government was Minister for Kalinago Affairs Cassius Darroux and Syvanie Burton, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs.

A statement from the Japanese Embassy in Trinidad said the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency assistance to Dominica to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people affected by the disaster as well as in light of the friendly relationship between Japan and the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Also earlier in the week the Japanese Government donated similar items to Antigua and Barbuda following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.

The donation also followed a "request for aid from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda following the serious damage incurred."

The emergency relief items were formally handed over during a simple ceremony at the VIP lounge, VC Bird International Airport, Antigua.