"As Hurricane Matthew continues to track northwest through the central Caribbean, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is carefully monitoring the situation and preparing to assist governments and communities in the region.

USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance has deployed two disaster response teams to Haiti and Jamaica in advance of the storm's arrival. These disaster experts are actively monitoring the storm's track in real time and communicating with officials in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Belize to coordinate relief efforts, if requested.

USAID has also strategically pre-positioned emergency relief supplies -- including shelter materials, blankets, hygiene kits, household items, and water purification equipment -- to ensure they are available to help the affected communities.

As the Caribbean prepares for Hurricane Matthew, the United States Government stands ready to quickly assist the governments and citizens of the region."