PHL Embassy to Deploy Response Team to British Virgin Islands

09 September 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy is making arrangements for the urgent deployment of a two-member team to help kababayans in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), following the devastation inflicted by Hurricane Irma on the small Caribbean territory.

“As directed by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, the Philippine Embassy has been on high alert since Hurricane Irma started approaching the islands in the Caribbean and the surrounding areas. The British Virgin Islands suffered a lot of damage and we have been receiving requests for assistance from the Filipinos there and their relatives who are based in the US and the Philippines,” Minister Patrick Chuasoto, Embassy Charge d’Affaires said.

“The team will bring basic provisions and arrange for the repatriation of those who wish to return to the Philippines,” he added.

The deployment is being coordinated with the Government of the United Kingdom, through the Philippine Embassy in London.

There are an estimated 264 Filipinos in the British Virgin Islands. For immediate assistance, they may also call the hotline provided by the British Government: +442070080000.

The Philippine Embassy continues to track the movement of Hurricane Irma, which has been downgraded to category 4 but is still expected to bring torrential rains and wind to the southeastern states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, starting later today.

Hurricane Irma, the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in history, previously hit and caused much destruction on Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. It also passed through Puerto Rico, the northern coast of Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southern part of the Bahamas.

“We are constantly trying to establish and maintain communication with members of the Filipino communities in the disaster-stricken areas. So far, we have not received any report of Filipino casualties, although many continue to suffer from power outages, decreasing supplies, and damage to property and loss of important documents, including passports,” Minister Chuasoto stated.

The Embassy is likewise monitoring Hurricane Jose that is closely following Irma’s path at Category 4 strength.

Those who want to share or find information about the condition of their family members and friends in the abovementioned places may reach the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. through the following contact information:

• Emergency hotline: +1 (202) 368 2767
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