Prime Minister Gaston Browne says Antigua and Barbuda would have matched Venezuela's US$3 million contribution to the country's Hurricane Irma recovery had it possessed the financial means, as his government moves to assist the South American nation following last week's devastating earthquakes.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks during his weekly Pointe FM programme on Saturday, explaining that the government's US$150,000 humanitarian donation reflects Antigua and Barbuda's gratitude for the support Venezuela provided after Hurricane Irma devastated Barbuda in 2017.
"They were easily one of the largest contributors to our recovery efforts. So we feel obliged to assist, even though modest. If we had US$3 million to reciprocate, we would have given them that or even more. But we have very modest means," Browne said.
The prime minister said Venezuela was among the first countries to respond after Hurricane Irma struck Barbuda, dispatching two aircraft to evacuate residents to Antigua and contributing US$3 million toward recovery efforts.
"They were the first responders after Barbuda was decimated by Hurricane Irma. They not only sent two aircraft to help us evacuate the residents there, they also made a contribution at the time of US$3 million," Browne said.
Browne confirmed the initial US$150,000 will be dispatched on Monday and said he is actively working to increase the total contribution.
"So it's US$150,000 to start. I'm actually trying to raise at least another US$100,000. I've spoken to a few other government agencies, and even West Indies Oil Company, in which the government has shares, to make some contributions. So we hope to increase that amount," he said.
Browne also confirmed he has already conveyed Antigua and Barbuda's condolences to Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, assuring her of the country's solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
"I would have indicated to her and her government that we are standing in solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela," he said.
The prime minister expressed confidence that Venezuela would recover from the disaster, drawing a parallel with Barbuda's own rebuilding following Hurricane Irma.
"We continue to pray for their safety and for their speedy recovery. We have no doubt that, based on their resilience, they will not only bounce back, but they will bounce forward, just as what we did in the case of Barbuda," Browne said.
Earlier in the programme, a statement from Browne announcing the donation was read on air. The statement described the contribution as being made "in the spirit of friendship, gratitude, and Caribbean and Latin American solidarity" and pledged to explore additional practical assistance as Venezuela begins its recovery.
