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UK Armed Forces step up support to the Caribbean Overseas Territories during coronavirus pandemic

The RAF have delivered six ventilators and medication to support the Overseas Territories during the COVID-19 outbreak.

On 8th May 2020 an RAF flight delivered Foreign Office-sourced supplies to the Turks and Caicos Islands including six ventilators, blood and medication to support the Islands’ health care systems during the coronavirus pandemic. This flight is part of the wider support being offered by the UK Government to its Overseas Territories in order to maintain access to essential goods including food, fuel and medical supplies.

Alongside this, the Royal Navy’s disaster relief specialists on RFA Argus are preparing for hurricane season by testing their skills across six of the Overseas Territories.

Minister for the Armed Forces James Heappey said:

“The commitment of our Armed Forces to support the Overseas Territories in times of pandemic or national disaster is unwavering.

“We will continue to support our partners in the Caribbean, engaging with both the local communities and authorities as they prepare for the hurricane season and adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

Minister for the Armed Forces
James Heappey

Baroness Sugg, Minister for the Overseas Territories said:

“We’ve seen how hurricanes can devastate communities in the Caribbean and when combined with the coronavirus, that devastation could lead to even more lives being lost.

“By providing life-saving aid alongside the world-class expertise of the British military, the UK is making sure British nationals and others living in the Overseas Territories, are prepared and supported ahead of the hurricane season.”

Other recent support provided by the Armed Forces to the Overseas Territories includes:

  • Small security assistance teams have been deployed to both the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Each team will reinforce the capacity of local police and support local authorities.
  • A new military co-ordination cell has been formed with our French and Dutch allies, optimising our support for Overseas Territories in the Caribbean as they co-ordinate their response to COVID-19.
  • A small medical team alongside two Intensive Treatment Units have been deployed to the Falkland Islands and the RAF has also flown in supplies of oxygen and medicine.
  • 310kg of essential supplies have been delivered to Ascension Island and St Helena.
  • 175 personnel have been deployed to Gibraltar, to support the delivery of food and medicine to residents.

The deployment of military capabilities and UK personnel is just one way the UK Government is supporting the people of the Overseas Territories. Specialist health professionals from Public Health England are providing crucial guidance and training on infectious disease management and we are providing advice on sourcing medical personnel and equipment.

There are around 270,000 people living in the Overseas Territories, most of whom are British nationals.