00:00The donation of disaster preparedness and response equipment from the United States
00:05Southern Command is being viewed as another symbol of the strengthening bond between both
00:10the U.S. and TNT.
00:12Head of South Com Admiral Alvin Halsey says Trinidad and Tobago and the region are open
00:18to natural disasters.
00:19Today, it's my pleasure to present these donations, which represent a total investment
00:24of approximately $100,000.
00:27And our commitment to building an enduring partnership for the people of Trinidad and
00:31Tobago.
00:32It's Admiral Halsey's first official overseas visit since being at the helm of South Com,
00:38and he is in the country for South Com's hosting of the Caribbean Nations Security Conference,
00:43CANSEC 2024.
00:45Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hines says disasters, apart from causing devastation,
00:51also impact the economy.
00:52They sometimes lead to social upheaval, matters of national security in that pure sense.
01:03So I especially welcome your thoughts and the handover of these items to the ODPM and
01:14the other beneficiaries here today as part of our preparedness and response to deal
01:22with these real issues when they come.
01:25The recipients are the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the Saparibor
01:29Corporation, of which Cedrus Disaster Management Unit has been factored in, and the Tobago
01:35Emergency Management Agency.
01:37A targeted approach was taken in the distribution of the items, for example, gloves, coveralls,
01:43boots, vests and respirators for TEMA, and tools, tents, generators and protective equipment
01:49for the Cedrus DMU, and televisions for the ODPM to enhance its monitoring capability.
01:56Lastly, the Hyundai truck will support ODPM operations in the Meira, Ria, Claro region
02:06of Trinidad, which frequently experiences heavy rains, flooding, putting lives at risk.
02:12This truck will increase ODPM's ability to respond to crises that endanger nearly 36,000
02:18people in the area.
02:19According to United States Ambassador to TNT Candace Bond, they all play a crucial role
02:24in keeping the people of the country safe.
02:27Let us reaffirm our commitment to working together in the face of adversity by supporting
02:33each other and sharing our resources, our expertise.
02:38We truly can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
02:43Head of the ODPM, retired Major General Rodney Smart, refers to the donation as high-end
02:48demand resources as he makes a call to Admiral Halsey.
02:51We ask you to continue to engage with this office, who has a serious responsibility for
02:59Trinidad and Tobago.
03:00And when I say this office, I include the other offices that are here present today.
03:05But also to add to that is the fact that Trinidad and Tobago has a responsibility to the southern
03:13sub-region of Caricam.
03:16Chair of the Siparia Borough Corporation, Dudnath Meru, is also expressing gratitude.
03:21He says the donation will go a long way.
03:24Today is really an exciting day for the borough of Siparia.
03:28More so, it's the very first time that Siparia Borough is receiving such a donation from
03:35anywhere or any part of the world.
03:38We appreciate your efforts, the United States government effort, in trying to keep our citizens
03:43in Siparia safe.
03:45Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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