CaribVET is in keeping in touch with its members through its Whatsapp group that connects to the focal points of each Caribbean Member country/territory and partner organisation of the network. Although communications are difficult after hurricane passage, the members are doing every possible effort to get news of colleagues in the affected countries by any mean. Below is a provisional update of the news received by country/territory.

 - Antigua and Barbuda - Severe damages reported but our members are safe (comm from Nneka Hull James). We don't have any member based in Barbuda but we know how catastrophic the situation is for this island who was evacuated couple of days ago.

- Saint Martin - After several days of silence, we finally got news of the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) Michel Vély, his family as well as his colleagues who are safe (comm. from Michel Vely and from Anne Chemel, Guadeloupe).  Communication remains difficult with this island but we know that he is in regular link with Guadeloupe CVO to have things organized.

- Sint Maarten - We finally got news from the CVO late on the 10th Sept. "Just got a bit of data and Whtsapp. am doing Ok. The roof went so there is some discomfort but otherwise am good' (Mervy Butcher, Sint Maarten)

- Sint Eustatius - Severe damages but our member is safe (comm from Sharon Veira, CVO in Sint Eustatius).

- British Virgin Islands - late on Sept 10 we learned that Latisha martin and her kids are fine (comm from Sharon Veira, Sint Eustatius). We still have no news from Orville Clark or M. Montrose from BVI

- US Virgin Islands - Bethany Bradford is fine, St Croix was spared any damage however St. Thomas and St. John are badly damaged (Comm  from Paula Morales, USDA-APHIS-IS, Dominican Republic).

- Turks and Caicos - So far, Weinland Crossman (CVO representative) said he is fine (Comm. from Karla Georges, UWI, Trinidad and Tobago)

- Saint Kitts and Nevis: Ross University School Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) sustained only minor damages. Their sibling medical school, the American University in Caribbean (AUC), on Sint Maarten has been severely damaged (Comm. from Lee Willingham, RUSVM).

- Bahamas: Some of the southern islands of the Bahamas already are affected but not sure of the damages as yet. Dr. Godfredy Springer (in the Northern islands) said they were beginning to feel heavy winds and expect to have the hurricane Irma passing later tonight. They will keep us abreast once communications are up. (Comm. from Godfrey Springer)

- Haiti: our members are safe and shared images from the areas impacted with major flooding of the Artibonite river and major damages in the North East and at the border with the Dominican Republic (Ouanaminthe city, Massac River). (Comm. from Haim Joseph, Haiti)

- Dominican Republic: the hurricane affected the northern cost however the winds were storm-like and the rain was significant and flooded rivers. In those areas they have trees down and some bridges fell too, at least 12 communities are not communicated because of blocked roads or a fallen bridge; however the authorities are working to fix the situation. In Santo Domingo and the rest of the country the rain and the wind were very mild. Today most of the people are back on their office and jobs. Schools are college are closed until Monday. (Comm. from Dr. Wendy Gonzalez, Dominican Republic)

- Puerto Rico: the officials are fine. There is no major damages in agriculture. Lack of energy that affected a poultry farm. There is no additional reports of dead animals so far. (Comm of Paula morales with Dr. Alejandro Perez, replacing Dr. Miguel ortiz Colon).

- Cuba: we received news from our colleagues from Cuba (CENSA). Irma brought heavy rains, sustained winds of over 200 km/h and important sea incursions, including in Havana. The hurricane bordered the North coast of Cuba on more than 700 km as a Category IV and V hurricane, resulting in massive destructions in 12 out of 14 provinces (from the most eastern province until Varadero, Matanzas). Our colleagues are safe and started the recovery phase, focusing on reestablishing vital services (water supply, power) and prevent epidemics. A part of the electricity was restablished from sept 12th in some communities (allowing e-mail exchanges with our colleagues. The preventative measures taken are considered effective to preserve human lifes with 10 deaths out of millions of persons exposed. (Comm from Pastor Alfonso, Maria-Teresa Frias Lepureau and Maria Irian Percedo).

Finally, Guadeloupe, Montserrat and Dominica were spared by the hurricane and suffered only minor damages.

Livelihood and communication remain extremely difficult in a number of Caribbean islands most severely affected by Irma, especially in Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands and Cuba. Official government reports indicated that there was no loss of life in TCI, however there are at least 10 deaths in Cuba, 8 deaths in the US and British Virgin Islands, 11 in Saint Martin/Saint Barthélémy, 2 in Sint Maarten, 3 in Puerto Rico and 1 in Barbuda. Our thoughts our payers are with the people of all affected countries. Their safety is paramount. 

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Updates and news from the members are regularly E-mailed to the CaribVET members and posted on the CaribVET Facebook page also. This article is updated as news arrive. You may also check the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Facebook page and website for reports coming out from the Member States and Press conferences of Head of Governments. Also check news from the Dutch, French, US and British governments.