Royal Navy deploys on Grand Cayman to help maintain security

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

Eighty officers and men from HMS Richmond were deployed on Grand Cayman Tuesday morning to assist the Cayman Islands Government in security and other pressing matters. A curfew, in force since Monday, requires all residents to remain in their homes or shelters from 6.00pm to 6.00am. Police officers reported a quiet night, indicating largely good co-operation from the local population.

There are no reported casualties at this time but, according to the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, “Dozens of people remain unaccounted for on Grand Cayman.”

Meanwhile, Governor Bruce Dinwiddy, who is charged under the Emergency Powers Order with direct responsibility for all affairs in the recovery process, chaired a meeting of top civil servants and disaster recovery personnel Tuesday morning.

The most pressing matters are food and shelter. A programme of commissioning schools to serve as additional shelters has begun. These shelters will house people who sought temporary shelter in private office and government buildings during the hurricane. The Government is co-ordinating a public-private sector response to provide food for citizens in shelters. Discussions have also taken place on establishing a counselling centre to provide support for local people.

The private sector met Tuesday morning with the Government to discuss how it could assist with the recovery process. The Government is also working closely with local suppliers of lumber and other materials for home repair.

Local supermarkets are busily engaged in a process of repair and cleaning flooded facilities. Government personnel are liaising with supermarkets, and most will be ready to re-open by mid-week. Furthermore, a local shipping company was preparing for the arrival in Grand Cayman of its ship carrying food supplies. The clearing of the George Town Port to receive ships was being treated as a priority this morning.

The Owen Roberts International Airport is open on a limited basis. Priority is being given to medical evacuees, relief planes and flights that may be scheduled to bring in returning residents. A flight left Tuesday evening with around 29 patients (mainly dialysis patients) on board, bound for Miami where medical care will be continued.

In terms of external support for local disaster recovery agencies, four United Nations personnel are scheduled to arrive Wednesday, along with officials from the British Department for International Development. The Governor continues to maintain close contact with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding further assistance.

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