ST. GEORGE, GRENADA, OCT. 03, 2017 –  It was an evening of mixed emotions on Saturday, September 23, 2017, as the first flight from the British Virgin Islands (BVI), carrying Grenadian nationals, landed at the Maurice Bishop International Airport.

A few days after Hurricane Irma, CARICOM Chairman, Dr. Keith Mitchell, led a delegation to some of the affected islands and gave the reassurance that the Caribbean community will aid in the rescue and restoration efforts.

The Grenada Government made a decision to assist residents living in hurricane affected islands, who requested evacuation; some of whom were Grenadians.

During a welcome ceremony at the MBIA, Acting Prime Minister Hon. Gregory Bowen said Grenada was quick in its response to assist, because of the similar experience with Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

“We passed through Ivan and we know it is not easy. So, all Grenadians feel it in the heart for you. They will be jumping sky-high, to say that, yes, some, if not all of you, are back in Grenada or all of you to be back in Grenada, and relieved from the tremendous conditions that persist in those islands,” Hon. Bowen said.

One BVI resident told GIS the experience was a terrifying one. She thanked Prime Minister Mitchell for coming to the urgent assistance of Grenadians, who are now displaced, following Irma’s devastation.

She said, “It’s nothing – It’s nothing that I expected, because, I went through Ivan, so I kinda – I was prepared – but when Irma came it was a completely different, different, different situation, It was worse than Ivan. Fortunately for me, where we’re living everything was OK, but when I went out the next day and I looked at the devastation, it was terrifying. I cannot thank Grenada enough. They have been there for us and, you know, they didn’t have to do it. Nobody had to do it. Nobody told us to go to the BVI. We chose to go there and the fact that our Prime Minister and the rest of the people put out themselves for us – it’s amazing.”

Meanwhile, Grenada has deployed a detachment of Special Services Unit (SSU) officers from the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), to assist with peacekeeping efforts in storm-ravaged Dominica.

The team, which includes one female officer, is trained in specialized areas of peacekeeping. They were addressed briefly by National Security Minister and Prime Minister, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, prior to their departure on Saturday, September 23.

The Prime Minister said while it is asking a lot to call on the officers at the spur of the moment, it is the right choice, given the gravity of the situation.

“Our decision to ask you to go and give some help, to me, we couldn’t do otherwise. For us to do otherwise, it would be showing a lack of gratitude and a lack of responsibility to the Caribbean family, in Dominica’s hour of need,” Hon. Mitchell said.

The Prime Minister appealed to the SSU team to be professional in the execution of their duties, in Dominica.

He said, “I deeply respect your noble decision to help your brothers and sisters in the Caribbean at this particular time and just hold the flag of Grenada high. Remember, as you are out there, you are not just SSU police personnel. You are indeed going to be ambassadors, so if you do not carry out your duties in a highly respectful and professional manner, you can do the reverse.”