Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Kenny D. Anthony has extended concern and sympathy to the Government and people of Taiwan for the families of those who suffered loss in the aftermath of Typhoon Soudelor.

"My heart goes out to the Republic of China (Taiwan) at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I am hopeful of a rapid recovery. We are all too familiar with the impact natural disasters can have on island nations like ours. The devastation visited on the family unit, the loss of life, the loss of property, and the uncertainty surrounding sons and daughters whose fate is as yet unknown, is compounded by the damage to basic infrastructure and the economy.

"I have faith that Taiwan will come through this. They are a resilient people. This is a quality for which they must be commended, and in times like these, when their strength and resilience has been sorely tested, they will not be found wanting. Their swift response to the passage of this storm should be a lesson to us all."

Typhoon Soudelor battered the Republic of China (Taiwan) over the weekend, leaving at least seven dead, several missing, and over 400 injured. Four million households were without electricity as the storm made landfall on Saturday. Soudelor carried winds of up to 100 miles per hour, causing damage to the nation's agriculture sector in excess of US$32 million.

Dr. Anthony also reached out to Saint Lucians currently residing in Taiwan. At present, there are over 70 Saint Lucians studying in Taiwan.

"From the information reaching us, all of our Saint Lucian students have come through this ordeal safely, by the grace of God. We are grateful for that, and we encourage our students to stand in solidarity with the people of Taiwan, and to do whatever they can to help the country get back on its feet as quickly as possible.”

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is undertaking a full assessment of the damage caused by Typhoon Soudelor. Recovery efforts are underway.