Prepositioned USAID disaster relief supplies in Miami, Florida

USAID

Prepositioned USAID disaster relief supplies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

USAID

Stacks of USAID blankets

USAID

USAID hygiene kits

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WASHINGTON -  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the central Caribbean as Hurricane Matthew brings life-threatening rains, winds and storm surges throughout the region. USAID has pre-positioned relief supplies and is preparing to ship in additional needed supplies.  USAID is also providing $400,000 in initial assistance for humanitarian partners to rapidly provide critical relief to those impacted by the storm.  

The DART, an elite team of disaster experts, will coordinate with governments of the affected countries and humanitarian organizations on the ground to bring vital humanitarian assistance and logistics support to those in need in the aftermath of the major hurricane.

The DART has experts in Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas. The U.S. Government is also communicating with officials in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, the Cayman Islands and Belize to coordinate relief efforts, if requested.

USAID is providing $400,000 for initial relief assistance in Haiti and Jamaica. USAID will work with international partners to distribute critical relief supplies, manage emergency shelters and provide logistics support to humanitarian organizations.

USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance has begun preparing commodities shipments from its emergency stockpiles in the region, for rapid distribution to thousands of impacted families. These commodities will include hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, blankets, collapsible water containers, and water storage bladders. Before hurricane season, USAID also strategically pre-positioned emergency relief supplies-including shelter materials, blankets, hygiene kits, household items, and water purification equipment-to ensure they are rapidly available to help communities affected by hurricanes.

As Hurricane Matthew moves through the region, USAID-in coordination with local governments and partners-will continue to assess the situation and can scale up assistance to meet needs on the ground.

Photos may be used with attribution to USAID