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WASHINGTON – Today, the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Congressman Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA-02), sent a letter to President Trump strongly urging him and his Administration to do much more to help the U.S. Virgin Islands after two Category 5 hurricanes. Specifically, Chairman Richmond urged President Trump to provide manpower, medical equipment and flotels, and to appoint a central coordinating official who can assess disaster-related needs on the islands and coordinate an interagency response. 

Chairman Richmond wrote: 

“The United States Virgin Islands need our help and they need it now. I urge you to immediately provide supplies and medical equipment, including medical ships, and assist rescue and evacuation efforts. I urge you to provide desperately-needed manpower to get supplies out of containers and into the hands of the people who need them. I also urge you to utilize all available resources to provide short- and long-term shelter for displaced Americans, including creative, previously successful means, such as cruise ships and flotels. Lastly, due to the unique challenges facing the territory, I urge you to appoint a central coordinating official for disaster response and recovery efforts in the United States Virgin Islands. One coordinating official responsible for assessing the needs on the ground and organizing interagency resources will help ensure the most efficient response.”

In the span of 12 days, the U.S. Virgin Islands was struck by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which killed seven people and left thousands without food, water, and shelter. Additionally, days after landfall, the U.S. Virgin Islands is still without the basic resources it needs to rebuild and recover. 

The lone hospital on St. Thomas was destroyed by Hurricane Irma and the main hospital on St. Croix can only provide emergency services with one operating room, which has left those who are sick without the medical attention they need to get better, including people who need dialysis who have been without it for days. Additionally, more than 90 percent of the three islands remain without power and it will likely take months to fully restore it. 

Chairman Richmond wrote: 

“This is unacceptable. As a native of New Orleans, I lived through Hurricane Katrina and bear the scars of the complete failure of federal, state, and local officials to adequately respond in the aftermath. So I am keenly sensitive to the needs of families still reeling from the destruction of natural disasters and the critical importance of a swift and efficient federal response.” 

Full text of the letter is attached and online.