The Government of Jamaica has dispatched a team of six persons to the Turks and Caicos Islands to provide support in the aftermath of the impact of Hurricane Ike on the islands.

The Turks and Caicos, home to many Jamaicans, was hit by the powerful Category 4 Hurricane Ike on Sunday, destroying more than 80 per cent of the homes. The hurricane, which left the airport under water, downed powerlines and swept away every single boat.

Jamaica's response is in keeping with its mandate under the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency regional response mechanism, where member countries of the agency offer needs assessment in the event of a disaster.

Representatives of the team sent to the Turks and Caicos were drawn from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Ministry of Health, The Jamaica Public Service Company, the United States Agency for International Development, the Canadian High Commission, and the United Nations Development Programme. The team is expected to return to Jamaica on Thursday.

... Bermuda to send troops to island chain

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) - Bermuda is sending soldiers to Turks and Caicos Islands to help in the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Ike left thousands of persons on the British Overseas Territory homeless.

"The Premier of Turks and Caicos has made a request to the Bermuda Premier for help from the Bermuda Regiment. This will probably be reflected in a formal request from the Governor of Turks and Caicos very soon," Governor Sir Richard Gozney told reporters.

"We are waiting for a more detailed assessment from Turks and Caicos of how the Regiment might help. All involved here - that is, Government House, the government of Bermuda and the Bermuda Regiment - expect that there will be a useful role for the Bermuda Regiment in helping the poor people of a sister territory in putting their lives back together," he added.

Premier Ewart Brown added that he has asked the home affairs minister to take the necessary steps to respond to Premier Misick's request.

A four-member reconnaissance team from the Bermuda Regiment,led by second-in-command Major Brian Gonsalves,left for Providenciales yesterday.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel William White said a decision on the deployment of further troops would follow by the end of the week.

Meanwhile, Bermuda's sole power supplier, BELCO, said it has been asked by the Caribbean Electric Utility Service Corporation to send crews to reconnect power lines on the battered islands.

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