Neighbouring Caribbean islands, including Dominica and Barbuda, were ravaged by Hurricanes Maria and Irma, two category 5 storms that cut a path of death and destruction across the region.
The Government announced plans to waive immigration regulations for six months to allow Dominicans to stay in T&T while their country rebuilt after the devastation. The Government also provided a helicopter and Coast Guard vessel to assist with the relief efforts.
Prime Minister Rowley said: “For the next six months Trinidad and Tobago will open our doors, our homes, our pots and I daresay our schools to the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica.”
T&T also rallied around the hurricane-affected countries.
Corporate T&T and ordinary citizens donated food, clothing, building supplies.
Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit travelled to Trinidad in November to thank this country for its support.He said the island was rebuilding with the help of international and Caribbean donors and schools had reopened.
$35m in Government assistance for affected victims
A final tally showed that approximately 2,300 households were affected by flood waters. Cabinet approved $35 million in compensation.
National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said the ODPM was reviewing its coordination and response to improve its effectiveness and efficiency.
Minister of Social Development and Family Services Cherrie Ann Critchlow-Cockburn announced that $20,000 housing grants and $1,000 clothing grants would be given to affected residents, in addition to a school supply grant and a $10,000 grant for those who lost basic household items.
The Agriculture Ministry said $12 million would be paid out to more than 600 farmers affected by Tropical Storm Bret in June.