Governor Welcomes UK Joint Force Headquarters Delegation to Bolster Disaster Preparedness

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 14 August 2025: Her Excellency the Governor welcomed a delegation from the UK Ministry of Defence’s Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) this week, currently in the Turks and Caicos Islands to support and enhance vital contingency planning for national disasters and emergencies.

The visit is part of the UK’s enduring hurricane preparedness support to the Caribbean Overseas Territories and aims to strengthen readiness for possible deployment as part of a coordinated, multi-agency response alongside the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. The JFHQ team includes specialists in planning, logistics, engineering, intelligence, and communications, working in close collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF), and the TCI Regiment.

Throughout the week, the team will familiarise themselves with critical national infrastructure, including designated shelters, hospitals, ports, utilities, and telecommunications facilities. So far, in Providenciales they have visited Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, the Marine Operations Centre, the Ports and Airports Authority, the Gustavus Lightbourne Stadium Shelter, All Saints Church, and the DDME depot. The engineering team also travelled to South Caicos, supported by District Commissioner Ms. Yvette Cox, and to North and Middle Caicos with the support of District Commissioner Mr. Osbourne Delancy. Visits to Salt Cay and Grand Turk are scheduled for later this week.

Speaking during the visit, Her Excellency the Governor said:

“As Tropical Storm Erin reminds us, the need for constant vigilance and readiness is real and pressing. Preparedness remains our strongest safeguard in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather events. The expertise and strategic support provided by the Joint Force Headquarters team is a welcome boost to our ongoing national planning efforts. Together with our TCI agencies, we are reinforcing the systems and coordination needed to protect the lives, property and wellbeing of residents across our Islands. The safety and resilience of the Turks and Caicos Islands remain an absolute priority.”

Lieutenant Colonel Angus Precious (Royal Marines), who is leading the delegation, emphasised the team’s mission to reinforce existing plans and ensure seamless integration of UK military capabilities, if and when needed.

“Our role is to work alongside local agencies to identify areas where additional support may be required, ensuring the territory is as resilient as possible,” he said.

This visit builds on the arrival in July of Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway, which remains stationed in the region to support hurricane preparedness, disaster relief operations, and the safeguarding of maritime spaces across the Caribbean.