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Official reports out of the Commonwealth of Dominica have confirmed 14 citizens dead and over 20 persons missing as a result of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika on Wednesday night.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs, Planning & Social Security, Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony met with Prime Minister of Dominica, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, on Thursday, and took the opportunity to express his condolences.

Said Dr. Anthony,

“I wish to extend my deep sorrow and anguish to the people of Dominica, and in particular those families who have lost sons, daughters, mothers and fathers as a result of this storm. The mounting death toll, the human cost of this catastrophe, is almost beyond words, beyond comprehension.”

As the search and rescue efforts continue in Dominica, the Prime Minister also called on Saint Lucians to begin mobilizing assistance for our sister island.

As is customary, the donation drive will be coordinated by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO). Post Offices around the island have been designated as the drop off points for supplies. Items needed include clothing, water, dried and canned foods, and other general household supplies.

The following disaster relief accounts have been activated in the name of the Government of Saint Lucia, to receive monetary contributions for relief efforts in Dominica.

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Prime Minister Anthony urged Saint Lucians to do whatever they can to help Dominica’s recovery. Less than two years ago, in December 2013, both nations were battered by the passage of the Christmas Eve Trough, which also led to substantial loss of life.

“The Government of Saint Lucia is reaching out to Dominica, and I trust that our people will be generous as well with their support for their neighbours. We thank God for our own safety and for the safety of our Saint Lucian students visiting Dominica at this time.

“Unfortunately in the Caribbean, we are becoming all too familiar with the devastation that can be visited upon our vulnerable islands by nature’s wrath. We lean on one another at times like this, and together we can work to recover and hope to restore some degree of normalcy.”