Containers of relief supplies to arrive in St. Lucia Friday

ODPM container being packed for delivery to St Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday shipped two 40-foot containers of emergency supplies to St Lucia, one of the three Eastern Caribbean islands severely affected by floods and landslides following heavy rains on Christmas Eve.

St Lucia is the only country to ask for help but Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said she is standing by to offer help to the others as well. 

The torrential rainfall was responsible for several deaths in the region and landslides and floods damaged or destroyed vital infrastructure. Dozens of people were left homeless.

A bridge - destroyed by raging floods (Guardian photo)

The containers for St Lucia will arrive Friday. They contain mattresses and blankets as well as other supplies requested by authorities in St Lucia such as canned goods, biscuits, infant formula, water, hygiene kits, disaster kits and first aid kits.

The CEO of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Dr Stephen Ramroop, said the private sector was very helpful in quickly putting together supplies of water and foodstuff to pack the containers for shipping to St Lucia.

The National Air Guard airlifted 500 cases of bottled water.

The ODPM also sent food and drink as well as toys for children. Ramroop told local media the ODPM would distribute the toys.

Media reports said Persad-Bissessar made a quick visit to St Lucia Thursday. She is the current chair of CARICOM and lead Prime Minister on security in the region.