OECS member states are pitching together to help with the relief efforts on Barbuda following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma on Wednesday.

OECS Director General Dr. Didicus Jules said efforts are underway to evacuate the approximately 1700 residents onto the mainland of Antigua as Hurricane Jose approaches the region.

Hurricane Irma decimated Barbuda with 185mph winds, destroying about 95% of buildings and leaving one person dead.

In an interview with St Lucia Times on Thursday, the OECS Director General said officials are hoping to have the residents moved to the mainland while the sea conditions permit.

“We’ve been in touch with a number of agencies including Express D’Isles, working with the French trying to get a boat in there, a ferry, to assist with the evacuation,” Dr. Jules said.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has appealed to residents on Antigua to open their homes to residents from Barbuda.

Dr. Jules said all OECS countries are on board with the relief efforts, with Martinique being particularly helpful.