Caribbean Hurricanes
Photo: CIRA /
As the world's humanitarian leader, the United States remains committed to providing life- saving assistance when a disaster strikes. The U.S. Government remains in close communication with government and civil-society officials throughout the region to coordinate relief efforts. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricanes Irma, Jose, and Maria.
How You Can Help
The best way to help those affected by a disaster overseas is to make a monetary donation to a reputable humanitarian organization working in the disaster zone.
As a U.S. government agency, USAID does not accept donations for its crisis response effort. If you wish to donate, you can contribute to the Hurricane Irma Relief Fund at GlobalGiving or to one of the organizations listed below:
Latest Updates
U.S. Response to Caribbean Hurricanes Infographic 
(pdf - 1 MB)
USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) on September 7 as Hurricane Irma - the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record – barreled across the Caribbean. Disaster experts on the DART were deployed to the region ahead of the storm, and began immediately coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian organizations in St. Martin, Antigua and Barbuda, and The Bahamas to deliver vital humanitarian assistance. Less than two weeks after Hurricane Irma hit, the region braced for more extreme weather as Hurricane Maria reached the eastern Caribbean, making landfall over Dominica on September 18. USAID’s DART remains activated and is closely coordinating response activities with local authorities and partners on the ground. Locally-based USAID disaster experts stationed throughout the Caribbean continue to liaise with their local government and emergency management agencies to report on conditions on the ground and advise on humanitarian needs.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) anticipates that Hurricane Irma will affect The Bahamas through September 9 as the storm continues tracking northwestward across the northern Caribbean. The storm is bringing sustained winds of nearly 160 miles per hour (mph), storm surge of up to 20 feet, and 10–15 inches of rain to The Bahamas, according to NHC forecasts.
The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:
USAID Administrator Mark Green called Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda this afternoon to convey the condolences and support of the United States to the people of that island nation following the destruction wrought by Hurricane Irma.
Hurricane Irma—the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record—is traversing the Caribbean and has affected several island nations, including Antigua and Barbuda. USAID activates a Washington, D.C.-based RMT and a regional DART with staff in The Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. USAID is coordinating relief operations with host governments, USG interagency partners, and other humanitarian actors.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) as Hurricane Irma - the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record - brings life-threatening rains, winds, and storm surges to the Caribbean. The DART, an elite team of disaster experts, currently has staff in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and the Bahamas, who will coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground to bring vital assistance to those affected by this hurricane and its aftermath. USAID has pre-positioned critical commodities in high-risk countries, including Haiti, to ensure relief supplies are immediately available to help communities in need.
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