PRIME Minister Portia Simpson Miller has expressed “deepest sympathy” on behalf of Jamaica to the Government and people of Dominica on the tragic loss of lives and destruction caused by Tropical Storm Erika.

“Jamaica shares the sense of grief arising from the loss of lives and anxiety for those that are missing in our sister island. Our prayers remain with the bereaved families, and we ask that God grant them strength and resilience as they face these difficult times,” Simpson Miller said in a release to the press.

Twenty people have been confirmed dead since the passage of Erika, which struck the eastern Caribbean island last Monday night into Tuesday. Several communities remained cut off from the rest of the island up to Saturday.

Late Saturday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit declared several areas ‘special disaster areas’, including: the communities of Petite Soufriere, Good Hope, Dubique, Petite Savanne, Pichelin, Coulibistrie, Campbell, San Sauveur, and Bath Estate (Paradise Valley).

The Government of Dominica has established an account at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank to receive contributions in support of recovery and reconstruction efforts. The account details are as follows:

United States Dollars (USD)

Federal Reserve Bank (NY)

SWIFT: FRNYUS33

ECCB’s account number at the FED: 021083695

FFC Government of Dominica account 310301005

Erika became the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic Hurricane Season.

“The impact of these heavy rains and flooding once again demonstrates the vulnerability and serious impact of climate change in the Caribbean region,” Simpson Miller said in a condolence message to Skerrit.

She assured Skerrit via telephone that Jamaica stands in solidarity with the people of Dominica “during these challenges, and is ready to assist, in any way possible, with rehabilitation efforts to restore normalcy to the island”, the release said.