“ The United States is sending several dozen rescuers, including search and rescue teams, to the Caribbean island nations battling the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Source: ABC News citing US State Department officials. Details: Emergency response teams from Washington and regional centers in Miami and Costa Rica, as well as urban search and rescue teams from Los Angeles County, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia, have already gone to the area, three State Department officials said. They are expected to arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours and will join local rescuers in Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, where they will be based to help in neighboring Haiti. Hurricane Melissa killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. This powerful storm hit Jamaica on Tuesday as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, and after weakening, spread to Cuba. State Department officials said they expect the U.S. response to the hurricane to be “decisive,” “effective” and “effective.” They dismissed fears that the elimination of the US Agency for International Development, which previously oversaw aid operations, would hamper the work. The shutdown was also not a factor, officials said, and people needed to conduct the operation were recalled from furloughs that affected all federal agencies. Officials said the estimated needs of the affected areas include supplies such as hygiene kits, temporary housing, sanitary equipment and food, which will be taken from warehouses in Miami and from local stocks held by humanitarian organizations. Officials with US Forces Southern Command, based in Tampa, said the Pentagon may play a role in transporting personnel and supplies to remote areas in the affected countries, but the extent of that involvement has not yet been decided. Col. Manny Ortiz, a spokesman for the Southern Command, said plans for military support for disaster relief teams are under review. ABC News reports that the Trump administration has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean as part of its fight against drug trafficking, which has included deadly strikes on vessels it accuses of being operated by cartels. The Pentagon says it is sending the aircraft carrier, which will join eight warships, a number of aircraft and thousands of troops already in the region. Navy and Pentagon officials say the hurricane has not yet affected military operations. State Department officials said there are currently no plans to evacuate the thousands of American citizens who live or are believed to be on the affected islands, and that they expect most of them to be able to leave the disaster areas on commercial flights or ships after airports and ports reopen.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
effects of hurricane Melissa, photo: video screenshot Source: ABC News with reference to representatives of the US State Department
Details: Emergency response personnel from Washington and regional centers in Miami and Costa Rica, as well as urban search and rescue teams from Los Angeles County, California, and Fairfax County, Virginia, have already gone to the area, three State Department officials said.
Advertising:
They are expected to arrive within the next 24 to 48 hours and will join local rescuers in Jamaica, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic, where they will be based to help in neighboring Haiti.
Hurricane Melissa killed dozens of people and caused widespread destruction in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica. This powerful storm hit Jamaica on Tuesday as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, and after weakening, spread to Cuba.
State Department officials said they expect the U.S. response to the hurricane to be “decisive,” “effective” and “effective.” They dismissed fears that the elimination of the US Agency for International Development, which previously oversaw aid operations, would hamper the work.
The shutdown was also not a factor, officials said, and people needed to conduct the operation were recalled from furloughs that affected all federal agencies.
Officials said the estimated needs of the affected areas include supplies such as hygiene kits, temporary housing, sanitary equipment and food, which will be taken from warehouses in Miami and from local stocks held by humanitarian organizations.
Officials with US Forces Southern Command, based in Tampa, said the Pentagon may play a role in transporting personnel and supplies to remote areas in the affected countries, but the extent of that involvement has not yet been decided.
Col. Manny Ortiz, a spokesman for the Southern Command, said plans for military support for disaster relief teams are under review.
ABC News reports that the Trump administration has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean as part of its fight against drug trafficking, which has included deadly strikes on vessels it accuses of being operated by cartels. The Pentagon says it is sending the aircraft carrier, which will join eight warships, a number of aircraft and thousands of troops already in the region.
Navy and Pentagon officials say the hurricane has not yet affected military operations.
State Department officials said there are currently no plans to evacuate the thousands of American citizens who live or are believed to be on the affected islands, and that they expect most of them to be able to leave the disaster areas on commercial flights or ships after airports and ports reopen.