What support have we given to our Caribbean Overseas Territories?
UK Armed Forces step up support to the Caribbean Overseas Territories during coronavirus pandemic
As part of the UK’s response to coronavirus, UK Armed Forces personnel have been busy helping British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean.
An RAF flight delivered Foreign Office-sourced supplies to the Turks and Caicos Islands including six ventilators, blood and medication to support the Islands’ health care systems.
This flight is part of the wider support being offered by the UK to its Overseas Territories in order to maintain access to essential goods including food, fuel and medical supplies.
RFA Argus, a ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, has been in the region since early April where her crew has been conducting training exercises in preparation for hurricane season — taking into consideration the potential impact of COVID-19.
The Royal Navy’s disaster relief specialists on board have been testing their skills across six of the Overseas Territories.
The crew have been familiarising themselves with the terrain of each island and identifying potential landing sites should aid need to be delivered.
The exercises they have been undertaking use simulated scenarios to test the crew’s ability to quickly land personnel, equipment and stores ashore in the aftermath of a disaster and deliver life-saving aid to local populations.
Additionally, small security assistance teams have been deployed to both the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Each team will reinforce the capacity of local police and support local authorities
There has also been a new military coordination group formed with our French and Dutch allies — organising their responses to COVID-19.
