Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement about her meeting with His Excellency Hubert J. Charles, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of Dominica to the Organization of American States and to the United States.

In August, Tropical Storm Erika killed more than thirty people in Dominica – dozens more people remain missing. Reconstruction will cost an estimated $228 million, almost half the annual Gross Domestic Product of Dominica. His Excellency John E. Beale, Ambassador of Barbados, Congressman Eliot Engel, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, also attended the meeting.

“With my colleagues, Congressman Engel, Congresswoman Waters, Ambassador Charles, Ambassador Beale, and the people of Ninth Congressional District of New York, I am committed to the full rebuilding of Dominica. Since Tropical Storm Erika, the community of nations has become involved, offering contributions ranging from helicopters for search-and-rescue attempts, medical assistance, engineers to restore telecommunication, critical supplies such as nonperishable food and clothing, and direct contributions. Members of our community have held fundraisers and collected household items to send to people in Dominica.  Now, the United States has a responsibility to contribute to these relief efforts. Many individuals lack secure access to the basic necessities, extensive damage to the infrastructure of Dominica has isolated some villages, and hundreds of families are still displaced from their homes.  Let us continue to keep the people of Dominica in our prayers, and work with President Obama, the Department of State, the community of nations, and relief organizations in the Caribbean and the United States to provide assistance to Dominica.”

Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, the Committee on Ethics and the Committee of Small Business in the House of Representatives, proudly represents Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, Park Slope, Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.