Hinds: Help ongoing for SVG, Grenada, but no requests for troops so far

NATIONAL Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says there have been no requests from St Vincent and the Grenadines or Grenada for Trinidad and Tobago troops to be deployed in those countries to assist with relief efforts.

Last week, Hurricane Beryl caused devastation in Grenada – Carriacou and Petite Martinique; St Vincent and the Grenadines – Union Island, Canouan, Mayreau and Palm Island and Bequia.

It also hit parts of Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica.

TT has since sent hurricane relief supplies and humanitarian aid to St Vincent and Grenada, with the Prime Minister also extending an invitation for schoolchildren from those countries to come to TT to stay with any relatives they may have here.

On Monday, Caricom and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne told Newsday the governments of both those countries "have expressed sincere appreciation for PM Rowley's initiative, including at last Friday's virtual Caricom Heads of Government emergency meeting.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Ministries of Trade, Transport, National Security, as well as the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), among other organisations have been assisting with relief efforts.

The ODPM has since sent a three-man team to Grenada (two ODPM officials and two WASA officials) to assess the impact of the hurricane over the next two weeks.

Asked on Monday if any members of the TT Defence Force (TTDF) will be deployed to these countries, Hinds told Newsday representatives from CDEMA (Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency) were sent.

"So far, there has been no call for troops on the ground.

"I'm aware that the boots and the hands on the ground in Grenada and St Vincent have been, thus far, adequate to deal with the aftermath of Beryl."

He added, "But we stand ready to support in every way we can."

When the hurricane was set to hit Tobago, members of the TTDF were deployed there.

A senior TTDF official told Newsday a total of 26 members were deployed – 14 soldiers from the 1st Engineer Battalion and 12 from the 1st and 2nd Infantry Battalions.

The official said those members were still in Tobago.