In an effort to build the country’s capacity to respond to natural disasters, the United States Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS, presented two satellite phones to the Government of Saint Lucia.

Minister with responsibility for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sarah Flood-Beaubrun thanked the US government on behalf of the government and people of Saint Lucia.

“We live in a part of the world where we are so vulnerable to natural disasters and every year we have to prepare for the hurricane season. We have experienced how quickly people can be cut off from the world, and how hard it is to get help and so this gift is so very important. It is a small device but a very important one to have.”

US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean, and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela, informed that a drill will be done to ensure that the phones are able to transmit.

“The one thing that’s interesting about these satellite phones is that you have to go outside and connect to a satellite which then beams back down to another satellite phone; so hopefully you will not only be able to connect to people in Barbados or people at NEMO, but u will also be able to contact people on other islands, depending on where they can pick up signals,” she said.

One of the satellite phones was distributed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMO), the other to the Office of the Prime Minister.