Cayman prepares to help

(CNS): The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) has placed 10 officers on stand-by to fly to Turks and Caicos to assist with law enforcement and security after the country was by devastated by hurricanes Hanna and Ike. Furthermore, Leader of Government Business Kurt Tibbetts announced in Legislative Assembly on Monday, 8 September, that the Cayman Government would assist storm-devastated countries in Cayman’s vicinity.

Although an official request for assistance has not yet been received from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), an advisory to prepare police officers for deployment has been circulated to neighbouring countries, the RCIPS said. Figures reported in various news reports state that around 80-95% of the buildings on Grand Turk have been damaged, with many being totally wiped out. The RCIPS has prepared the contingent for immediate deployment should the FCO officially request assistance.

“The RCIPS has not forgotten the assistance neighbouring countries offered us following Hurricane Ivan,” said Acting Commissioner of Police David George. “And indeed we had some officers from Turks and Caicos come here to help us recover following that storm. We are more than happy to assist where we can.”

Meanwhile, the LoGB told the House that while Cayman felt some effects from Hurricane Gustav, other nations fared worse from one, or even all. Haiti, for example, is in dire straits, having taken a beating from Fay, Gustav, Hannaand Ike, with news reports placing the loss of life into the multiple hundreds.

He recalled how several regional friends expressed sympathy and offers to assist Cayman after Ivan. “It is our duty to do the same,” Tibbetts said. “Government will be looking to assist wherever we can, however we can. We will be considering whatever is practical to do” to assist, he said, once communication is received about the most critical areas of need.

The RCIPS extends its sympathies to all neighbouring nations that have been affected by recent weather systems and commits to offering assistance where it can now and in the future. Tibbetts also extended Cayman’s sympathies to nations that took a pounding from weather systems Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and now Ike.

“This hurricane season is one of the most active we have seen in several years,” he said, and asked all in Cayman to say prayers “for our friends during these times.”