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<p>Over half a million British nationals - either residents or tourists - have been
in the path of Hurricane Irma which has caused devastation across an area spanning
well over a thousand miles.</p><p>We are doing all we can to help them all as we deal
with an extremely challenging situation but it is going to take time and we have to
prioritise those most in need.</p><p>Since Thursday 7 September COBR has met regularly
to co-ordinate the Government's response - bringing together military, aid and consular
effort.</p><p>There are now over 1,100 military personnel and over 50 UK civil police
in the Caribbean region, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) MOUNTS BAY, two aircraft and
four helicopters capable of transporting aid and personnel between the islands.</p><p>Over
the next few days a further 200 troops will be travelling to the Caribbean and a further
medical evacuation team will arrive in the region to support the transport of patients
requiring urgent medical assistance to medical facilities, bringing the total of these
specialist teams up to three.</p><p>More than 40 metric tonnes of aid has now arrived
and is being distributed across the region - including 2,896 shelter kits, which can
provide shelter for over 13,000 people, and 4,990 solar lanterns, which can provide
essential light and power for over 11,000 people.</p><p>RFA MOUNTS BAY was pre-positioned
in the region ahead of hurricane season with vital aid supplies, specially trained
military personnel and a Wildcat helicopter. This meant that when Hurricane Irma hit
we could start getting help to Anguilla as soon as it was safe to do so.</p><p>Initially
MOUNTS BAY assisted Anguilla to restore power to the hospital, reinforced shelters,
conducted reconnaissance of the airport, and delivered six tonnes of aid.</p><p>From
Friday 8 to Saturday 9 September, RFA MOUNTS BAY was in the British Virgin Islands
assessing urgent requirements and providing humanitarian support. During this period
troops were deployed to secure the airport and vital supplies were delivered to Tortola
hospital. She also provided lifesaving supplies to 300 islanders on Jost Van Dyke
who were cut off with no food, water, power or communications.</p><p>RFA MOUNTS BAY
subsequently resupplied with more essential aid before returning to Anguilla on Monday
11 September where she delivered building supplies to the airport to get it up and
running and urgent medical supplies to the hospital.</p><p>On Tuesday 12 and Wednesday
13 September, she returned to the British Virgin Islands where she continued to deliver
aid, reconstruction stores and engineering assistance. She conducted a further resupply
to Jost Van Dyke and engineers repaired a power plant which restored power supply
to a large number of buildings including a water desalination plant.</p>
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