Above: Letchimy in St Lucia (Photo: Region Martinique)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Serge Letchimy, the president of Martinique’s Regional Council, led a delegation St Lucia this week as part of continued relief efforts to the Eastern Caribbean island.

St Lucia was one of several islands in the Eastern Caribbean devastated by a serious trough system during the Christmas holiday.

Soon after that, Martinique launched Operation Solidarity Caribbean, which helped bring aid and relief to the islands, including St Lucia.

So far, Martinique has helped deliver water, food, mattresses, mosquito nets and water purification units.

“I am very pleased that the President and his delegation have come to St Lucia,” St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said. “This visit greatly strengthens this link between the two islands. We have a relationship with Martinique that is already very special.”

A second phase of relief efforts is now underway, Letchimy said, with Martinique having mobilized experts in areas like infrastructure and agriculture to help assess the long-term damage in St Lucia and propose structural measures for the future.

Letchimy called the aid efforts to St Lucia “absolutely necessary.”