Following the initial deployment of Canadian officials to the affected areas earlier this week, Canada has deployed a Canadian Armed Forces’ CC-130J Hercules aircraft to provide airlift support to the Jamaican Defence Force’s Disaster Assistance Response Team.

A Canadian Disaster Assistance Team (CDAT), including experts from Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces, has also deployed to Nassau, The Bahamas, to determine how Canada can best help those affected by Hurricane Dorian. The CDAT will assess the needs on the ground and establish what additional support may be required.

The Hercules aircraft, which departed from Trenton, Ontario, arrived in Nassau and then continued to Kingston, Jamaica, to facilitate the deployment of the Jamaican Defence Force into The Bahamas.

“Canada has been deeply distressed by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Dorian. In particular, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those who died. We stand ready to provide assistance to the people of the Bahamas as they begin their recovery efforts and to Canadian citizens who require consular services,” commented the Hon. Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs.