Five presidents from the Rotary and Rotaract Clubs signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of the British Virgin Islandssolidifyingthe working relationship that currently exists between the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the Rotary family in the BVI.  

Ladies and Gentlemen good morning;

It is my pleasure to bring opening remarks at this very important workshop on Business Recovery Operations.  

Madam Speaker, as we are aware, Tropical Storm Erika passed through the Caribbean last week and left a path of destruction in its wake. Several islands including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Croix and Dominica were affected by the storm. Thankfully the British Virgin Islands was spared.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE has joined the international community in a demonstration of solidarity for the island of Dominica, and has pledged US$100,000.00 towards relief efforts on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. 

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. 

The session targets all businesses and professionals in financial services, insurance, commercial, retail, hospitality, as well as the legal and administration sectors. Participants will be exposed to various topics including leadership in action, preparing for the unthinkable and engaging the business community in disaster resiliency.

Residents of the BVI, once again we have been spared significant impact from a tropical weather system, and we are grateful to God.

The Antigua/Barbuda Meteorological Service has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands. However, a marine warning remains in place for small craft operators and sea bathers. 

At 800 AM, the centre of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 17.7 North, longitude 68.5 West.

The National Emergency Operations Centre is advising residents of the British Virgin Islands that the Acting Governor, Mrs. V. Inez Archibald, CBE in consultation with the Director of the National Emergency Operations Centre, Ms. Sharleen DaBreo is satisfied that the immediate threat posed by Tropical Storm Erika to the Territory is over.