The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) as Hurricane Irma - the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record - brings life-threatening rains, winds, and storm surges to the Caribbean. The DART, an elite team of disaster experts, currently has staff in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and the Bahamas, who will coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground to bring vital assistance to those affected by this hurricane and its aftermath. USAID has pre-positioned critical commodities in high-risk countries, including Haiti, to ensure relief supplies are immediately available to help communities in need.

As the world's humanitarian leader, the United States remains committed to providing life- saving assistance when a disaster strikes. The U.S. Government remains in close communication with government and civil-society officials throughout the region to coordinate relief efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Hurricane Irma's path.