ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – The Dominica Government has declared Thursday and Friday, “Days of National Mourning” as the island recovers from the battering it took from Tropical Storm Erika that killed more than 30 people and left several others missing.

A brief government statement said that “all flags shall be flown at half-staff on all public buildings on both days” and that President Charles Savarin will deliver an address to the nation on Thursday.

“National days of prayer shall be held on Saturday September 05 and Sunday September 06, 2015. Activities related to the national days of prayer will be held at the local community level as a result of reduced access associated with the passage of Erika. A national day message of prayer from the Government shall be read at all churches on the respective days,” the statement said, noting “these declarations are intended to honour lives lost as well as to offer thanksgiving”.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said that the island is continuing to receive aid and technical assistance from the international community, but appealed to Dominicans to be at the forefront of the reconstruction exercise.

On Tuesday night he announced that a decision had been taken “to waive all charges for all relief aid coming into the country whether it is consigned to the state or consigned to individual persons or organisations and institutions.

He said the Customs authorities have been effecting the decision that has already been ratified by the Cabinet.

“As far as reports coming to me I am not aware of any delays in processing items,” he said, adding “we have sought to remove all kinds of restrictions on persons who are coming to assist us.

“The Customs have been facilitating the entry and clearance into Dominica all items that are for relief purposes. One does not expect you to send a flat screen television to someone and expect it to be duty free.”