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 
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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.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is airlifting more than 45 metric tons of critical relief supplies-including emergency shelter materials, hygiene kits, water containers, and blankets-to Dominica, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts & Nevis to assist people affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Members of USAID’s Caribbean Hurricanes Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on Dominica are coordinating with humanitarian stakeholders on the island to meet the needs of hurricane-affected populations. Constrained road access is a significant challenge to relief operations, and the DART is working closely with Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica (GoCD) officials, other donors, and relief organizations to facilitate the rapid delivery of assistance throughout Dominica.
On September 21, members of USAID’s Caribbean Hurricanes Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) arrived on the island of Dominica to conduct damage and humanitarian needs assessments. The DART confirms that Hurricane Maria caused widespread devastation on Dominica, including a critical loss of roofs, many obstructed roads, and damaged electrical, water, and telecommunications networks.
As we help our neighbors in Mexico and the Caribbean, I want to make clear that America is and will remain the world’s leading humanitarian donor. Whether it’s responding to an earthquake, drought, or conflict, America is committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with people in their hour of need. It is who we are as Americans. While we respond to immediate crises, America is also providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance to those suffering as the result of famine, food insecurity, drought, and conflict, all of which is driving the greatest movement of people since World War II. In the face of this unprecedented need, we are continuing to show leadership.
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