GOVERNOR AND PREMIER MARK START TO NEW CHAPTER IN UK MILITARY RELIEF WORK
HE Governor, John Freeman and Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson will be saying thank you to all the UK military personnel who have been helping the Turks and Caicos Islands relief efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, on Friday afternoon at Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex.
The British Army, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force personnel, some of whom arrived in TCI within 48hrs of Irma making landfall, have worked hard to support TCIG and DDME relief efforts across the islands and bring ashore help with the distribution of aid supplies. They are now starting to deploy back to the UK, leaving a team of specialists to continue with the recovery.
Lt. Col. Tom Salberg, head of the UK military in TCI, said; “It’s been an absolute honour to come and assist the TCI work. The islanders have been an inspiration, showing a resilience in the face of the hurricanes that has been humbling to see.”
“It will be a pleasure to meet with the Governor and the Premier on Friday to say our own thank you to them for being such kind hosts to me and my soldiers, and for the warmth and support we have been shown by the TCI people.”
HE Governor Freeman added; “Tom and his men, and those from the Bermuda Regiment and the Canadian frigate here recently, have been key in helping TCI lift itself back up after the hurricanes. The wider UK family is one that strives to help when a part of it is in need, and their work has been a clear example of this.”
“Their departure turns the page on the TCI recovery, and a new chapter of UK military assistance will now begin with a small team of specialist advisors staying on TCI for the remainder of the hurricane season.”
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