Premier Burt: ‘Offer Any Support We Can’
Premier David Burt has extended sympathies to our neighbours in the Caribbean who have been devastated by Hurricane Irma, and said he has reached out to the leaders of the affected territories to offer any support we can, and “in consultation with the Governor, we will look to deploy the Regiment overseas once we are certain Hurricane Jose is not a potential threat to Bermuda and their presence is not needed on-island.”
Hurricane Irma hammered some of Caribbean islands with winds of up to 180 mph, leaving a trail of destruction and at least 13 people dead, international media have reported.
The island of Barbuda is said to be “barely habitable”, officials warn that St Martin is almost destroyed, and the death toll is likely to rise, according to the BBC.
In addition to Hurricane Irma, two other storms ― Jose and Katia ― were upgraded to hurricane status on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time since 2010 that three hurricanes were simultaneously in the Atlantic.
Premier Burt said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Bermuda, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to our neighbours in the Caribbean islands devastated by Hurricane Irma and those bracing for impact. Our sincere condolences go out to the families of those killed during this enormous catastrophe.
“The death, destruction and devastation across the Caribbean is massive, and the heart wrenching images of areas that have suffered total destruction are very saddening to me, my fellow Bermudians and I am sure to the rest of the world.
“While Bermuda may not be situated in the Caribbean we share a connection and a bond. A large percentage of Bermudians can trace their roots back to the Caribbean, and our Caribbean connection is still very evident here. Today, we feel their pain, as we are all family.
“I have reached out the leaders of the affected overseas territories to offer any support we can. We will be assessing our resources to determine what we can provide and how we can best assist the territories affected.
“In consultation with the Governor, we will look to deploy the Regiment overseas once we are certain Hurricane Jose is not a potential threat to Bermuda and their presence is not needed on-island.
“We are in contact with the Bermuda Red Cross with the intent to collaborate our support relief efforts to assist those impacted by Hurricane Irma.
“We will continue to pray for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Irma and for those who are still in the path of this powerful storm.”
My thoughts are with everyone who has been affected by this hurricane and those who are bracing for it.
My prayers go don to dem guys in de carib. Hope dey can recuva ok.
I’d like to know how Burt got through to these Islands…the phones (cells) and power are down.
De special leaders phones.
useful 4 letter word,ya full of it too.
@Real Onion does it matter how he made contact? Let’s focus on the IMPORTANT issue at hand; people are suffering in may ways. My prayers go out to all those feeling the impact of these terrible storms.
Real Onion is more like sour grapes, just like how Trump supporters fell about Obama.
Get over it and move on.
You and yours should donthe same then. Get over it and move on. Oh wait. Then ud have nothing to talk abt. Win win for everyone
He sent an email. Thus, he has reached out. He won’t have spoken to anyone, he hasn’t even spoken to his own country yet.
oh right,without power!!!
There are means.l
At a time like this that is the best you can come up with, absolutely amazing the type of people the world has in it.
There is a special device called satelite phones…trust me there are ways…
and he dont have one!…trust ME!!
It’s nice he found the time to communicate with them. He hasn’t been bothering to communicate with us for the past 8 weeks.
What do you need to hear?
Come to Devonshire Rec tonight, lighten up a bit and get over it.
How so? The Cup Match message and Labour Day message the premier sent out are forms of communication. The throne speech today is a form of communication. What more do you want? Do you expect him to take useless photo ops in public like the last premiers to show he is communicating?
At least he’s not like the OBA making a biassed donation of $50,000 in money we don’t have to one country for disaster relief while not to others just to get the support of the expats in Bermuda from that country. Not that I’m saying donations are a bad thing but when in reality the money donated is part of our nations debt relief it is. You can’t give what you don’t have but the OBA did. They gave $50,000 to a country that already received millions from other countries that could afford it. $50,000 to a country that already receives thousands of Bermuda dollars in remittances from their expats working in Bermuda. $50,000 to a country that supports their police murdering the people of their country in need instead of helping them. $50,000 to a country with a a disrespectful president who calls other countries presidents SOBs because they show concern for the atrocities committed on the people in their country. What a waist of $50,000!
Pretty sad when the Premier of the country reaches out to our fellow islanders in the midst of a humanitarian crisis , and we Bermudians can’t even unite behind that effort . Some of us have a lot of growing up to do , because it could be us in ruins next time .
He hasn’t. He’s still a liar.
haha,at last,someone speaks de truth
Agree.
This is not the place to be taking swipes at our new premier.
where is de place Vanzman? cus I wanna take a swipe
Why not? Thats all hes been doing to every other politician for the past 5 years. U lot need thicker skin.
Doesn’t matter how contact was made . The fact that he did is what counts.
Sounds like Seniors has a soggy diaper and needs it changed. Geez no matter people do someone always complains.
“we will look to deploy the Regiment overseas once we are certain Hurricane Jose is not a potential threat to Bermuda and their presence is not needed on-island.” Uh David – it is the Governor who consults with you – he is the Commander-in-Chief – he makes the final order – not you.
Our premier is making a good decision by offering help those in need, remember Bermuda has help before, One million to the Philippines when others countries also donated millions to them, this government is not offering money to the caribean islands but any help will do.