Speeches Shim
Caribbean Hurricanes
Photo: CIRA /
As the world's humanitarian leader, the United States remains committed to providing life- saving assistance when a disaster strikes. In response to three back-to-back major hurricanes – Irma, Jose, and Maria – that struck the Caribbean region during the catastrophic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season, USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to provide immediate humanitarian assistance in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground.
How You Can Help
The best way to help those affected by a disaster overseas is to make a monetary donation to a reputable humanitarian organization working in the disaster zone.
As a U.S. government agency, USAID does not accept donations for its crisis response effort. If you wish to donate, you can contribute to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund at GlobalGiving or to one of the organizations listed below:
Latest Updates
U.S. Response to Caribbean Hurricanes Infographic 
(pdf - 957k)
USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to respond to three back-to-back major hurricanes – Irma, Jose, and Maria – that struck the Caribbean region during the catastrophic 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The DART – which at its height comprised 54 people – remained flexible and nimble to respond to changing humanitarian needs, with disaster experts deployed to 11 countries over the course of the month-long response. In addition, USAID airlifted more than 185 metric tons of relief supplies, which helped an estimated 83,800 people.
Map showing the USG Caribbean Hurricanes Humanitarian Assistance response.
Hurricane Maria’s passage in September 2017 severely damaged or destroyed more than 90 percent of buildings and damaged more than 40 water systems in Dominica, according to the UN. Amid ongoing recovery activities, USAID/OFDA partner the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) continues to support critical shelter repairs and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities, including in Dominica and throughout hurricane-affected islands in the Caribbean.
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, hit the Caribbean beginning on September 6. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria, a second Category 5 storm, struck the region. USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on September 7. The DART—which at its height comprised 54 people—deployed to 11 locations in the Caribbean to lead the U.S. government’s humanitarian response in coordination with affected governments.
Approximately 90 percent of the buildings in Dominica were damaged or destroyed due to the effects of Hurricane Maria, according to Pacific Disaster Center estimates. Damaged homes and infrastructure are inhibiting returns to areas of origin, as well as the resumption of livelihood activities across the country, the UN reports.
As humanitarian response efforts in Dominica continue and the transition to early recovery begins, UN agencies and NGOs—including USAID/OFDA partners—are coordinating with the GoCD to meet priority humanitarian needs, including access to safe drinking water, emergency food assistance, and shelter support. A field-based USAID regional team, including three USAID/OFDA disaster risk management specialists supporting response coordination at Dominica’s Emergency Operations Center, continues to support relief and early recovery efforts in the region.
Comment
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.