A Canadian plane full of volunteers delivered much-needed supplies this weekend to the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, where efforts are underway to help the country rebuild after Hurricane Irma.
Some 10 days after Hurricane Irma decimated the islands, the Sunwing flight left Toronto Friday night loaded with emergency supplies such as water purification systems and hygiene kits, plus building materials including hammers, nails, wood and cement.
Matt Capobianco, deputy director of aid charity GlobalMedic, told CTV News that Sunwing had “really stepped up to reroute a plane specifically for our team and aid into Antigua.” The charity is also partnering with the Air Canada Foundation on rebuilding efforts in the Caribbean.
A Halifax-based drone company called AeroVision was also aboard the Sunwing flight. It’s planning to use unmanned aerial vehicles to help assess what’s needed for rebuilding Barbuda.
“We're told that they want a proper assessment done of the island,” said Travis Harvey from AeroVision.
While Antigua was mostly spared from the hurricane, some 95 per cent of Barbuda’s buildings were damaged or destroyed, forcing its 1,600-plus residents to flee for shelters on Antigua, less than 50 kilometres away.
“My home? Gone,” one Barbuda resident said from a shelter.
Farmer Eugene DeSouza is still awaiting word about his 200 sheep and seven cows. He hasn’t been able to go back home to look for them.
“I’m worried about them because that’s my livelihood,” he said.
Residents of St. John’s, Antigua, said that they want people to know that their island is still open for business, hoping that tourism money, as well as international aid, will help pay for reconstruction on neighbouring Barbuda.
The government thinks it could cost roughly $200 million U.S. to rebuild -- money that it doesn’t have.
“So that is the best way that you can help Barbuda, is by taking a vacation and coming to Antigua,” said Asot Michael, tourism minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
Barbuda residents, however, still have no idea when they will be able to take the short ferry ride home.
With a report from CTV News’ John Vennavally-Rao in Antigua and Barbuda
#Irma relief supplies now being dropped off by Sunwing in Antigua&Barbuda. Global Medic supplying hammers, saws & nails 4 reconstruction. pic.twitter.com/Kp5A680J2p
— John Vennavally-Rao (@jvrCTV) September 16, 2017
Also went to a school converted into a shelter. 1800 Barbudans were evacuated from island after #Irma. Don't know when they'll go home. pic.twitter.com/zVnabnsfEZ
— John Vennavally-Rao (@jvrCTV) September 16, 2017
GM is at @AirCanada packing 1K Family Emergency Kits to provide 5K+ people w/ safe drinking water #HurricaneIrma #AirCanadaFoundation pic.twitter.com/nclRFnBxpQ
— GlobalMedic (@globalmedicdmgf) September 16, 2017
People in St.John's Antigua want people to know it's open for tourism. They need business. Little damage compared to sister island Barbuda. pic.twitter.com/AFceiRaGJw
— John Vennavally-Rao (@jvrCTV) September 16, 2017
In Antigua we just met with couple of guys from Halifax. With Aerovision. They'll be flying damage assessment drones over Barbuda. #Irma pic.twitter.com/KCVSJJHWeu
— John Vennavally-Rao (@jvrCTV) September 16, 2017
An @RCAF_ARC CC-130J Hercules is flying humanitarian supplies to @BritishVirginIs in support of international relief efforts #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/2OmxjCykVS
— CAF Operations (@CFOperations) September 13, 2017
#HMCSStJohns is on its way to the #Caribbean. #DYK it's carrying supplies such as engineering equipment, food, and clothing#HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/qcoXAOfTVv
— CAF Operations (@CFOperations) September 13, 2017
An @RCAF_ARC CC-177 delivered French supplies to to Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe as part of international #HurricaneIrma relief efforts pic.twitter.com/oVFJsRznTH
— CAF Operations (@CFOperations) September 14, 2017