STATEMENT ON DOMINICA BY THE PREMIER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE
DR. THE HONOURABLE D. ORLANDO SMITH, OBE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2015

On behalf of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands, I extend my deep and sincere condolences to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the devastation and loss of life caused by the passage of Tropical storm Erika. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am deeply saddened to hear of the devastation sustained. It is heart-breaking to see images of the widespread damage that has occurred across the island. We know that families have been affected by the loss of loved ones, and uncertainty for the well-being of those who are still missing.

While the British Virgin Islands was spared, we are mindful that the damage brought by this storm could have happened to any of our islands. As a Caribbean people, we are resilient and I am confident that, like the phoenix, Dominica will rise and be rebuilt with even more strength.

To the citizens of Dominica who are residing in the Territory, I extend my Government’s profound sorrow at the recent events in your homeland. For those of you who may have lost loved ones, we sympathise with you and may God comfort you in this your time of sorrow.

I therefore encourage all residents of the Territory to support any fundraising efforts that are organised to assist those affected by the tropical storm. 

May God continue to protect our Virgin Islands and our Caribbean neighbors during the remainder of this hurricane season.