‘Call On UK To Commit Immediate Resources’
On behalf of the Leaders of the Overseas Territories, in his capacity as President of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association [UKOTA], the Premier of Bermuda David Burt has “expressed deep concern and sympathies for all those affected by Hurricane Irma, and other current related developments.”
Multiple British Overseas Territories have sustained severe damage from Hurricane Irma including Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and Turks & Caicos.
Hurricane Irma is the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane ever recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and spent three days as a Category 5 hurricane, the longest Category 5 hurricane since satellite storm-tracking began.
The powerful hurricane is making landfall in Florida now, after leaving a path of destruction in the Caribbean, killing over 20 people.
Premier Burt said: “Our thoughts and prayers are fully focused on all affected by the current severe storm patterns across the Caribbean. In particular, there is an urgent need for health and social welfare support which must be met now.
“We welcome the commitment from the UK Government in providing some immediate resources to British Nationals within the Caribbean, while questioning the adequacy of its response in other areas such as a regional reconstruction fund, and the two-week wait for the arrival of HMS Ocean. We note that the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Select Committees have raised these issues in terms as well.
“The Overseas Territories are diverse in our constitutions, populations and economic sustainability, encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, and most remote islands in the South Atlantic. We therefore call upon the UK Government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the Overseas Territories.”
The statement said, “In addition, the Premier highlighted the following areas as offering scope for further discussion once some of the most immediate relief issues have been addressed:
- 1. “The resilience of island infrastructures and planning; global best practice in construction and other coping systems must be adopted.
- 2. “The global insurance and reinsurance industries are likely to face increasing demands on capacity, and key hubs in the US, UK, and Bermuda will need to apply expertise against adverse scenarios of likely growing severity to cope with the levels of relief and recovery that will be required over the long term. The swift availability of substantial funds to the areas affected is well supported by many of the current structures in these hubs, and these should arguably be enhanced and certainly protected at current levels.
- 3. “The Overseas Territories have shared traditions of excellence in financial services, banking, and risk management. Any upward trend in environmental or other catastrophes will emphasise their dependence on these sectors, which must be recognised in UK Government and other international policy.”
Premier Burt concluded; “The people of Britain’s Caribbean Territories are courageous and resilient, but they face unprecedented devastation.
“Now, more than ever, we need the United Kingdom to fulfil its obligations by providing comprehensive and lasting support to ensure a sustainable future”.
The Bermuda Red Cross has launched an appeal for those affected by Hurricane Irma, and for information on how to donate please click here.
“We therefore call upon the UK Government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the Overseas Territories.”
Independence?
I’m sure the UK would love to get rid of the “mice that roar”. Have the vote and see what happens. It may not be what Bermuda expects.
For centuries British Territories have been used as cash cows with FREE labour and then rejected because of lost interest in sugar, tobacco and the Slave Trade.
Now the descendants of slaves have been surviving in subhuman conditions while the Colonist that benefitted turn a blind eye.
Mmmmmmmm
If you think Bermuda had subhuman conditions then there truly is no help for you.
*has
You should seek help Double S for your introspection illusion issue. It is causing your thinking to result in illusion of superiority. These are common psychological problems that have plagued people throughout history. This cognitive bias is the reason for many of the mistreatment done onto other groups of humans throughout history.
I’m willing to bet anything that you have never been in the dwelling of someone in Bermuda who does not have the same social status as you. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, it just means your fortunate enough not to see what exist. Ignorance is always bliss.
How about they “go independent” and see how that works for them.
“surviving in subhuman conditions” – you have NO IDEA! Get a clue.
Seriously David Burt?
The week you call for Independence?
True colours.
It’s almost like Britain hasn’t already dispatched naval and air units to the region… /s
They have ships there already….wtf!
Wow….look up how much the UK had done compared to Bermuda…lol. I swear people on this rock think it’s the center of the world…lol
No, just David Burt.
You should be glad he dont mention Reparations for 400 years of FREE labour.
LMFAO. Go ahead and mention it all you want. You will get a ton of nothing. Hahahaha good one.
Will never happen…
The urge to make one’s self feel smart , important and relevant was very strong here.
Should have just kept quiet .
““Now, more than ever, we need the United Kingdom to fulfil its obligations by providing comprehensive and lasting support to ensure a sustainable future”.
And then we go independent?
What a joker.
This
If you [premier Burt] had spent a bit of time looking at the Uk response you would have not found it lacking at all-there is no point lighting a candle until the lights go out
The ship was in the carribean already equipped with supplies
I am disappointed with you as shaking your hand at the polling station I thought you were ok
On one hand you want UK help but your daily show callers hate the Uk and want independance
So is Burt now the voice for all BOT?
He is the presentment of the overseas territory association. It would be surprising if he hadn’t said anything
But if the RAF was already prepared to help and there were ships in the Caribbean beforehand that have already docked now… why does he have to say, “Now, more than ever, we need the United Kingdom to fulfill its obligations by providing comprehensive and lasting support to ensure a sustainable future.”
Its like PLP supporters live in an alternate reality..
Again—they are just like Trump supports—from freaking outta this world!
In fairness to Burt, this is a statement that was likely drafted and issued following a consensus from all members.
The Honourable Premier is well aware that the U.K. has deployed resources. It been in the Intl media.
Just a sound bite to sound important!
Have a blessed day.
No, I disagree. There has been much domestic criticism (in the UK) of the UK’s response compared to the French and the Dutch governments, Joint select committees have raised their concerns. Google the Telegraph and read the press from the past week. 23 million sterling is not very much and the current boots on the ground are inadequate, given the fact that everyone knew the cat 5 was heading on that path. hM Ocean ought to have been deployed earlier. I encourage you to have a read of the domestic criticism in the UK press.
Once attention turns reconstruction, I think it would be worth our exploring how our building code could be implemented down there. I am sure Planning and the construction association would be happy to assist in prefer to minimize future devestation. Flooding is hard to avoid unless you build on higher ground but certainly they could benefit from SKB roofs, capped eaves and stone internal walls.
All costs money. Poverty is rife.
If some of you could put aside your political bias, you’d see the UK’s response has been woefully inadequate. It was only after initial outrage that they even committed more resources. Many in the media have still noted that their response has not come close to what would be expected given the situation.
Sources?
32million pounds in aid, two navy ships, plus several planes full of supplies and helicopters.
And Burt still wants to grandstand, trying to act like nothing would have happened if he didn’t suggest it.
I’m sorry, but I think that criticism is totally unwarranted. How is the UK supposed to provide assistance any quicker than it’s doing already, especially with the sadly reduced state in which successive Governments have left its military? You can’t fly it in because the airports are unserviceable, and you can’t bring it in any quicker by sea because ships simply don’t move that quickly.
fake news
Burt you expect the UK Government to provide instant relief while the Royal Bermuda Regiment sits and waits ? What a joke you have become in very short order. Looks like your party will be a one term government with you at the helm.
Bermuda Regiment did not invade those islands and forced Africans to work FREE for centuries and then left them there to survive while the Colonist left with the wealth.
Boring.
Same as Doc. Any and every opportunity to poke the bear.
Grandstanding. The UK already deployed resources, days ago.
Look at his point no. 2. What the fack does he think it means? Gibberish.
I prefer it when he disappears for weeks on end, like the last two months. At least he didn’t look so stupid.
Didn’t one of Burt’s senators just suggest independence?
WTF!
24-12. Get over it.
when all the money is gone and no one wants to bring their events here, then you’ll wish it was the other way ’round my friend.
Unfortunately the majority rules even if they are all fools.
Yes, the PLP won. That doesn’t mean they should be allowed to be a bad governmen. If Burt is representing us badly we need to call him out for it.
And you will suffer more. I see more and more “real bermudians” overlooking that. Smh ah well
Do your homework before you open your mouth in future and prove to everyone that you are an idiot!