DOCSLIB.ORG

JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER October 27, 2020 2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER October 27, 2020 2 His finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom legend BEGINNING OF WALK June 08, 1935 CALLED of his time TO SERVICE JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER October 27, 2020 2 Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. “Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER 3 1935 JUNE 8th Dutiful, humble, decent, reliable, honourable, dignified, respectful: these are but some of the qualities that Jonathon Au- gustus Sylvester practised every JONATHON AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER day during his began his journey on June 8th, 1935 and journey on this earth. He was ended on October 27th, 2020. He was the son a God-fearing of the late Elizabeth Sylvester and James Gil- man, a family man, a serious bert. He came from a large and happy family of and disciplined three brothers and eight sisters. man, but he could never resist the opportunity to have a laugh with friends and loved ones, and a special dance with his beloved Hermina. 4 You may be gone from my sight, but you are never gone from my heart, Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER 5 Becoming a man means doing the right thing even though it may be hard or difficult. Boys do what is easiest. A man does what is right, whether easy or not. Pre-Service CALL TO ORDER Maruita Kupoluyi SELECTION Apostolic Faith Church Choir, Road Town TRIBUTE Drucilla Sylvester-Nicholas TRIBUTE IN POEM Jeremiah Frett TRIBUTE IN POEM Ketlene Bowman-Penn TRIBUTE IN POEM Andrew St. Hillare MUSICAL TRIBUTE Eliot Jackson TRIBUTE POEM Maureen Sylvester TRIBUTE Apostle George Rodney TRIBUTE POEM Avanell Sylvester SOLO SELECTION Julia Stoutt WHO HAS THE FINAL SAY Shammah Deliverance Ministry Worship Team LIFE IS LIKE A MOUNTAIN RAILROAD Joyful Singers SELECTION Apostolic Faith Church, East End CLOSING OF CASKET Congregation 6 Order of Service SENTENCES Pastor Pearl Smith - Apostolic Faith Church, East End CONGREGATIONAL HYMN Hold The Fort PRAYER Apostle George Rodney, Living Waters Worship Center SCRIPTURE READING(Romans 8:31-39) Maureen Sylvester (Granddaughter) SPECIAL SELECTION Guest Artist – Bridget Blucher PSALM 121 Honourable Marlon Penn (Leader of the Opposition, BVI) GOSPEL – St. John 14: 1-6, 27 Shaunice Leonard (Granddaughter) REFLECTION AND TRIBUTE Valston Graham (DPP, St. Kitts and Nevis) CONGREGATIONAL HYMN Sweeping Through The Gates Of The New Jerusalem PSALM 23 Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (Premier of the BVI) EULOGY Honourable Shawn Richards (Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis) SPECIAL SELECTION Guest Artist - Bridget Blucher REFLECTION Bevis Sylvester (Son) SERMON Pastor Pearl Smith – Apostolic Faith Church, East End BENEDICTION Pastor Pearl Smith – Apostolic Faith Church, East End RECESSIONAL HYMN Onward Christian Soldier Interment CALL TO ORDER Pastor Pearl Smith PRAYER Pastor Pearl Smith HYMN Oh How Marvelous LAYING OF BODY I Will Meet You In The Morning COMMITMENT TO THE EARTH Pastor Pearl Smith SINGING In The Sweet By and By SINGING Never Alone SINGING Who Has The Final Say SINGING Pass Me Not SINGING There Is Honey In The Rock PLACEMENT OF FLOWERS Hermina Sylvester (Widow) JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER 7 legend of his time Jonathan Augustus Sylvester His finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom Dutiful, humble, decent, Jonathan Augustus Sylves- reliable, honourable, ter began his journey on dignified, respectful: June 8th, 1935 and ended these are but some of the on October 27th, 2020. qualities that Jonathan He was the son of the late Augustus Sylvester prac- Elizabeth Sylvester and tised every day during his James Gilbert. He came journey on this earth. He from a large and happy was a God-fearing man, a family of three brothers family man, a serious and and eight sisters. disciplined man, but he Jonathan, or Silo as he could never resist the op- was so affectionately portunity to have a laugh known, came to the British with friends and loved Virgin Islands in 1970. ones, and a special dance He love to tell the story with his beloved Hermina. of arriving in the BVI and 8 visit. He looked her straight and replied that he was seeking employment. To his utter surprise, he received a response that he never “to live is expected. Officer Stoutt Christ, and to said, “Mr Sylvester, you are die is gain”. As the saying the most honest person that goes, “Weary has ever passed through soul, waits for here, and for that, I am go- death to carry me home”. ing to stamp your passport Jonathan seeking employment.” He was now stuck in the BVI, his exit strategy did not work. So much for the man with a plan. Jonathan experienced many such lessons in his life. The lesson that God’s plan for you might be different from the one you have for your- self - but as 1 Peter 3 says, Jesus has the last word on seeing all of the cattle, and wanting to return home to St everything and everyone, Vincent immediately. Always the man with a plan, and a from angels to armies, he’s quick thinker, he formulated a strategy - he planned his exit standing right alongside out of the BVI upon arrival. God and what he says goes He quickly accessed the situation at the airport and thought - Jesus has the final say. As that if he told the immigration officer the truth about him he lived, so he died. On wanting to seek employment in BVI, that they would have no Sunday before he passed, choice but to send him back to St. Vincent on the next flight. he uttered those very words So he devised a plan. He let all of his friends who he knew to the nurse on duty “Jesus were also seeking employment to go ahead of him. As has the final say”. expected, those friends did not tell the truth about their It was God’s plan for Jona- purpose of being in the BVI. than, to spend the rest of his When his turn came to face the immigration officer, he was life in the BVI, even though met by the late Gretel Stoutt. She asked the purpose of his he loved his hometown St. JONATHAN AUGUSTUS SYLVESTER 9 Vincent. Shortly after settling in the BVI, Jonathan met the late Leroy Frett, and he became a truck driver. This was the ideal job for him, as he used to drive big trucks back in St. Vincent for the late Thomas John and others. People were very industrious back then, ensuring that they utilized what they had to fit every possible scenario. Jonathan drove a truck that had custom-built wood bench- es and a detachable roof. So on days that Jonathan had a truckload of bananas, he would remove the roof and the wooden seats. On the other days, or even that very day, he would transform his agriculture vehicle into a passenger vehicle for the many people who would have otherwise had to walk. So on those days, on went the roof, and back in went the benches - and Silo never being the one to see people go without, was there to transport people to and from town. This love of people and the desire to help was a big part of the man that he was. If you were lucky to know him, you knew that he was someone you could rely on to get things done. From driving pas- sengers in St. Vincent to providing transportation every Sunday for the late Herman Thomas, the Method- ist Preacher who had to go and 10 preach at various churches, to even Lord. it was the path that he should take. helping out Ket Thomas, his wife on In September 1970, the same year that Silo was known as the Jackhammer Saturdays with a ride as she did her he started driving for Leroy, he sent for man. He worked the Jackhammer as shopping in town. the love of his life, Hermina Sylvester It was really all about community back from St. Vincent and they got married then. Each helping the other as they on the 10th September 1970. That built their lives and community. The same month, they were both baptized notion that it takes a village to raise a and became Christians at the East End child was not lost on most - especially Apostolic Faith Church under the late the children of the community. Ket Joshua Crab. Thomas was one of those community Silo, the consummate storyteller, liked mothers who would quickly report to tell the story of how Anteen and the back to Silo if one of his children others would pray you through until skipped school - and Mr Jonathan the holy ghost came upon you. No Sylvester was a man who believed that matter how long it took - and for some, if you spare the rod - you spoiled the that meant hours - and those ladies child. would pray and pray into the night, Well done, Community watch. Community build. pouring oil and praying - because as Community family. These were the Silo knew, Christianity was not self-pro- good and themes back then, and Silo embraced claimed...the holy ghost had to come. it wholeheartedly. While he embraced his faith with faithful servant. Driving members of his community all of his heart, he was not a perfect continued to be one of his main inter- man.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • CPA Election Observer Misison Final Report
    CPA BIMR ELECTION OBSERVER MISSION VIRGIN ISLANDS (UK) GENERAL ELECTION FEBRUARY 2019 FINAL REPORT CONTENTS Head of Mission’s Statement 3 Introduction 3 Background 3 Legal Framework 4 Election Administration 6 Suffrage Rights 7 Voter & Candidate Registration 8 Campaign Finance 9 Campaign 9 Media 10 Advance Polling 10 Election Day 12 Closing & Counting 13 Complaints & Appeals 13 Diversity & Inclusion 13 Acknowledgements 14 Contact 14 Consolidated List of Recommendations 15 2 CPA BIMR EOM - Virgin Islands (UK) Election 2019 - Final Report “The Virgin Islands 2019 election was vibrant and competitive, and the results reflected the will of the voters. The Election Observation Mission commends the Virgin Islands for taking positive steps to improve voting processes and to encourage a more positive campaign environment. Special commendation should go to the election officials who, in a short period of time, administered the election effectively. However, there is distrust in the electoral system, and the Mission continues to express concern that the regulatory framework, particularly in relation to campaign financing, lacks transparency and undermines the equality and openness of the election process. The Mission also expresses concerns about the qualification to vote and stand as a candidate and verification practices which challenge the principle of universal suffrage.” Hon. Palmavon Webster MHA, Head of Mission - Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region, Virgin Islands 2019 INTRODUCTION The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR) Election Observation Mission (EOM) was present in the Virgin Islands from 15 February 2019 until 27 February 2019. Organisation and planning for the EOM commenced in mid-January following an official invitation from the Governor of the Virgin Islands (United Kingdom), H.E.
    [Show full text]
  • 24-Hour Expanded Primary Healthcare Services Now Available on BVI’S 2Nd Most Populated Island of Virgin Gorda
    24-hour Expanded Primary Healthcare Services Now Available on BVI’s 2nd Most Populated Island of Virgin Gorda Pdf Published On February 21, 2020 05:31 PM Angela Burns | February 21, 2020 05:31:08 PM 0 VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS — With the official opening of the expanded Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda, the second most populated island in the British Virgin Islands, the over 4,500 residents there now have access to a wider range of preventive and treatment services 24 hours a day. Dating back to the 1970’s, the Virgin Gorda District Clinic has been serving the needs of residents and visitors, but major services had to be accessed on the main island of Tortola. The clinic was named in honour of Nurse Iris O’Neal, whose career began in 1939 at the Cottage Hospital, later Peebles Hospital and now the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Tortola. She relocated to Virgin Gorda in 1943 after marrying a local. As the only nurse on the island, she became the District Nurse and practiced as a midwife. She performed many procedures using a kerosene lamp or a flashlight, due to little or no electricity in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The original Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic offered only 2 physicians ambulatory rooms, 1 urgent care area with 2 bed stretchers, 1 wound care management room, 1 room for dentistry with 2 dental chairs, a pharmacy station and other utility areas. (Below, Premier Andrew Fahie, Health Minister Carvin Malone, 9th District Rep Vincent O’Neal, BVIHSA CEO Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Bilateral Relations: India-British Virgin Islands Overview: the British Virgin
    Bilateral Relations: India-British Virgin Islands Overview: The British Virgin Islands (BVI), popularly referred as Virgin Islands, is one of the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, located to the east of Puerto Rico (US State). The Virgin Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. They became the possession of Great Britain in 1666 when the English Planters took control from the Dutch settlers and have been a British colony since 1672. The Virgin Islands became a Territory on July 1, 1956 and is currently a British Overseas Territory which falls under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom (UK). The BVI comprising 4 main islands and many smaller ones. The largest island, Tortola, is home to the capital, Road Town. The official currency of the British Virgin Islands has been the United States dollar (US$) since 1959, the currency also used by the United States Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, along with over 50 other smaller islands and cays. About 15 of the islands are inhabited. The capital, Road Town, is on Tortola, the largest island, which is about 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide. The total area of the BVI is about 151 sq km. The official language of the Islands is English. The current population of the BVI is 35,802 (Dec 2018). The majority of the population (83%) are Afro-Caribbean, descended from slaves brought to the islands by the British. Other large ethnic groups include those of British and other European origin.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: General 12 February 2014
    United Nations A/AC.109/2014/6 General Assembly Distr.: General 12 February 2014 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples British Virgin Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page The Territory at a glance ......................................................... 3 I. Constitutional, political and legal issues ............................................ 4 II. Budget ....................................................................... 5 III. Economic conditions ............................................................ 5 A. General................................................................... 5 B. Financial services .......................................................... 5 C. Tourism .................................................................. 6 D. Agriculture and fisheries .................................................... 6 E. Communications and infrastructure............................................ 6 IV. Social conditions ............................................................... 7 A. Labour and immigration ..................................................... 7 B. Education ................................................................. 7 C. Public health .............................................................. 8 Note: The information contained in the present paper has been derived from public sources, including those of the territorial Government,
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: General 14 February 2019
    United Nations A/AC.109/2019/4 General Assembly Distr.: General 14 February 2019 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples British Virgin Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page The Territory at a glance ......................................................... 3 I. Constitutional, political and legal issues ............................................ 4 II. Budget ....................................................................... 5 III. Economic conditions ............................................................ 5 A. General ................................................................... 5 B. Financial services .......................................................... 6 C. Tourism .................................................................. 7 D. Agriculture and fisheries .................................................... 7 E. Communications and infrastructure ............................................ 8 IV. Social conditions ............................................................... 8 A. Labour and immigration ..................................................... 8 B. Education ................................................................. 9 C. Health .................................................................... 10 D. Crime and public safety ..................................................... 11 E. Human rights .............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Grace Carrington 2019 Final Copy
    The London School of Economics and Political Science Non-Sovereign States in the Era of Decolonisation: Politics, Nationalism and Assimilation in French and British Caribbean Territories, 1945-1980 Grace Carrington A thesis submitted to the Department of International History of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, July 2019 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 83332 words. 2 Abstract Non-independent territories today account for more than half the states in the Caribbean but regional and global histories of the twentieth century tend to exclude them from narratives of protest and change. This thesis addresses this gap. Using the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Martinique and Guadeloupe as case studies, it argues that a focus on the processes of decolonisation in these non-sovereign states reveals features common to the global experience of twentieth century decolonisation elsewhere.
    [Show full text]
  • 24-Hour Expanded Primary Healthcare Services Now Available on BVI’S 2Nd Most Populated Island of Virgin Gorda
    24-hour Expanded Primary Healthcare Services Now Available on BVI’s 2nd Most Populated Island of Virgin Gorda Pdf Published On February 21, 2020 05:31 PM Angela Burns | February 21, 2020 05:31:08 PM 0 VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS — With the official opening of the expanded Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda, the second most populated island in the British Virgin Islands, the over 4,500 residents there now have access to a wider range of preventive and treatment services 24 hours a day. Dating back to the 1970’s, the Virgin Gorda District Clinic has been serving the needs of residents and visitors, but major services had to be accessed on the main island of Tortola. The clinic was named in honour of Nurse Iris O’Neal, whose career began in 1939 at the Cottage Hospital, later Peebles Hospital and now the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital in Tortola. She relocated to Virgin Gorda in 1943 after marrying a local. As the only nurse on the island, she became the District Nurse and practiced as a midwife. She performed many procedures using a kerosene lamp or a flashlight, due to little or no electricity in the 1940’s and 1950’s. The original Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic offered only 2 physicians ambulatory rooms, 1 urgent care area with 2 bed stretchers, 1 wound care management room, 1 room for dentistry with 2 dental chairs, a pharmacy station and other utility areas. (Below, Premier Andrew Fahie, Health Minister Carvin Malone, 9th District Rep Vincent O’Neal, BVIHSA CEO Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Hearing Day 15 Transcript
    Page | 1 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY HEARINGS: DAY 15 (MONDAY 21 JUNE 2021) International Arbitration Centre 3rd floor Ritter House Wickhams Cay II Road Town, Tortola Before: Commissioner Rt Hon Sir Gary Hickinbottom Solicitor General Mrs Jo-Ann Williams-Roberts (instructed by the Attorney General), Sir Geoffrey Cox QC and Ms Lauren Peaty of Withers LLP appeared for various BVI Government Ministers and public officials. Mr Lewis Hunte QC appeared for Dr Kedrick Pickering. Mr Archibald C. Christian appeared. Counsel to the Commission Mr Bilal Rawat also appeared. Hon Carvin Malone gave evidence. Ms Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe gave evidence. Mr Myron V. Walwyn gave evidence Mr Ronnie W. Skelton gave evidence. Court Reporter: MR. DAVID A. KASDAN Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR) Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) Worldwide Reporting, LLP 529 14th Street, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20003 United States of America [email protected] Transcript Prepared by Worldwide Reporting, LLP [email protected] 001 202-544-1903 Page | 2 Those present: Session 1 Mrs Jo-Ann Williams-Roberts, Solicitor General Ms Lauren Peaty, Withers LLP Mr Bilal Rawat Hon Carvin Malone Mr Steven Chandler, Secretary to the Commission Ms Juienna Tasaddiq, Assistant Secretary to the Commission Constable Javier Smith, Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Mr Dame Peters, Audio-Visual Technician Session 2 Mr Bilal Rawat Ms Ingrid Moses-Scatliffe Ms Juienna Tasaddiq, Assistant Secretary to the Commission Constable Javier Smith, Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Mr Dame Peters, Audio-Visual Technician Session 3 Mr Bilal Rawat Mr Myron V. Walwyn Ms Juienna Tasaddiq, Assistant Secretary to the Commission Constable Javier Smith, Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Mr Dame Peters, Audio-Visual Technician Session 4 Mr Bilal Rawat Mr Ronnie W.
    [Show full text]
  • General Assembly Distr.: General 16 February 2012
    United Nations A/AC.109/2012/6 General Assembly Distr.: General 16 February 2012 Original: English Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples British Virgin Islands Working paper prepared by the Secretariat Contents Page The Territory at a glance ......................................................... 3 I. Constitutional, political and legal issues ............................................ 4 II. Budget ....................................................................... 5 III. Economic conditions ............................................................ 5 A. General................................................................... 5 B. Financial services .......................................................... 5 C. Tourism .................................................................. 5 D. Agriculture and fisheries .................................................... 6 E. Communications and infrastructure............................................ 6 IV. Social conditions ............................................................... 6 A. Labour and immigration ..................................................... 6 B. Education ................................................................. 7 C. Public health .............................................................. 7 Note: The information contained in the present paper has been derived from public sources, including those of the territorial Government;
    [Show full text]
  • The World Factbook
    The World Factbook Central America and Caribbean :: British Virgin Islands (overseas territory of the UK) Introduction :: British Virgin Islands Background: First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Geography :: British Virgin Islands Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 151 sq km country comparison to the world: 220 land: 151 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 6.67% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 86.67% (2011) Irrigated land: NA Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms
    [Show full text]
  • V.I. Governor Bryan, BVI Premier Andrew Fahie to Meet Tuesday for First Inter-Virgin Islands Council Meeting Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria
    V.I. Governor Bryan, BVI Premier Andrew Fahie to Meet Tuesday for First Inter-Virgin Islands Council Meeting Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria Pdf Published On February 02, 2020 08:44 AM Angela Burns | February 02, 2020 08:44:52 AM 0 From left to right: USVI Governor Albert Bryan and BVI Premier and Minister of Finance Andrew Fahie BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS — The relationship between the British Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands comes into sharp focus when the Inter-Virgin Islands Council meets on Tortola on Tuesday, February 4. The council, established in 2004, brings together the leaders of both territories to discuss matters of mutual interest. BVI Premier and Minister of Finance Andrew Fahie will welcome Governor of the United States Virgin Islands Albert Bryan Jr. and officials of his administration for the day-long talks. Topics on the agenda include the novel Coronavirus, tourism strategies, airport and seaport development, joint marketing and public relations initiatives, fisheries, inter-territorial cooperation between charter yacht companies and boarder security. “It is imperative that officials of the two territories meet as the policies and laws enacted by the respective governments significantly impact the lives of the people of the Virgin Islands, on either side,” Premier Fahie said. The Inter-Virgin Islands Council was established on Saturday May 29th, 2004, after former USVI Governor, Dr. Charles Turnbull and then-BVI Chief Minister, Dr. D. Orlando Smith, OBE signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding. The council’s first meeting convened on St. Croix in April 2005. Mr. Fahie’s Virgin Islands Party government was swept to power on February 25, 2019.
    [Show full text]
  • UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES the NEWSLETTER of UKOTA · SEPTEMBER 2017 UK Territories: Rebuild Must Endure
    UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES THE NEWSLETTER OF UKOTA · SEPTEMBER 2017 UK Territories: rebuild must endure | British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos face nature’s fury | UK’s Caribbean citizens: London’s essential support | Lessons from Montserrat show need for sustainable response ‘Among the worst storms on record’ Hurricane Irma, the first of the major September storms to strike the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean, has been listed as one of the worst on record. Winds of 185mph battered Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos, alongside French, Dutch and independent islands. The level of destruction is immense. The islands were stripped of vegetation while infrastructure was devastated. Boats were flung from the sea and roofs ripped from buildings. Reports from the British Virgin Islands say a staggering 60-80% of the country’s buildings have been affected. The Turks and Caicos witnessed immense structural damage, with streets flooded, utility poles snapped and a widespread black-out on the capital island of Grand Turk. Thousands of homes, boats, businesses, and livelihoods have been destroyed in the wake of the storms. Damage to essential infrastructure such as airports, hospitals, roads, shelters and schools has left the affected societies in need of vital assistance. The United Kingdom’s Response The Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay led the UK’s Acknowledging that the people of Britain’s Caribbean first response to the disaster, with emergency supplies Territories are courageous and resilient, Premier Burt and a contingent of Royal Marines and Army engineers. also noted that they face unprecedented devastation.
    [Show full text]