James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, received reassurance from the Secretary of State for International Development, Priti Patel, that government departments are co-ordinating to ensure effective disaster relief.
Today, 18th October at 11.30am Local MP James Duddridge attended Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development, Priti Patel, and asked how the Foreign Office, Department for International Development and the Ministry of Defence would work together in the future to effectively response to crises in British Overseas Territories.
James Said:
“Would a cross departmental unit, focused on overseas territories, staffed by DFID, foreign office and the MoD help solve some of these problems of co-ordination and in the future provide a better response for Overseas Territories?”
The Rt. Hon Priti Patel said:
“I think my honourable friend highlights the importance of co-ordination, and certainly through the relief efforts in the hurricanes, we had a cross government and a very strong co-ordinated effort. We have to respond accordingly to crises when they happen and we do work effectively together. Currently we are absolutely joined up and delivering for the people that need the help that happened at the time.”
James has been a tireless advocate for those severely affected by the wide scale destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands. He first sought reassurance from the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Alan Duncan in his urgent statement and will continue to advocate for all those who have been left homeless in the wake of hurricane Irma.