CSA responds to hurricane appeal as region counts cost

The CSA has a proud record in recent times of providing financial and other assistance to hurricane-impacted communities across the Caribbean and in this regard 2017 was no different In just a few short days in September, the Caribbean was hit by two catastrophic Category 5 hurricanes – first Irma, then Maria.

The pair caused widespread damage across the region, with Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Cuba, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Sint Maarten / St Martin, St Barts, Barbuda and Dominica among the worst affected.

The Caribbean experienced four categorized hurricanes in 2017 and some islands were hit by more than one. Irma was the second most powerful on record and the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands. Subsequently, Maria created the worst natural disasters ever to befall Puerto Rico and Dominica.

The loss of life across the Caribbean, along with the hurricanes’ impact on both property and basic infrastructure, is well documented. Unfortunately, the restoration process – the hard task of rebuilding of homes and livelihoods – has been less well publicized by the media.

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