NEW YORK, USA (CMC) —New York City will be helping the victims of Hurricane Maria across the Caribbean by sending 27 members of the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York to assist in the recovery efforts.

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, 27 members of the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) left for Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the region to assist in the recovery efforts.

The members of the NYPD and FDNY, including medics and disaster relief professionals, make up the city’s Urban Search and Rescue team.

There are 28 Federal Emergency Management Association Urban Search and Rescue teams strategically located throughout the United States, which can also be deployed to the region within six hours of activation.

Meantime, Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda was expected to focus the world’s attention on climate change and its effects on the Caribbean when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly last evening.

Before departing Antigua on Wednesday, Browne said his primary objective is to speak about the devastation of the sister isle of Barbuda, which was ravaged by Hurricane Irma and to rally the support of the international community for the island.

“I will also be speaking to the issue of climate change,” Browne said. “We recognise that in some quarters they are arguing against the issue of climate change.

“We are the ones who are suffering the consequences of climate change here in the Caribbean,” he added. “I want to ensure that I am one of the major advocates on the issue of climate change.”

Browne said his intention is to work with individuals such as former US Vice-President Al Gore and others to become “more integrally involved” in advancing the arguments in favour of climate change,” according to an Antigua and Barbuda Government statement.