Press Release No. 16/449

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde Expresses Sympathy to Victims of the Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean

October 6, 2016

Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), issued the following statement today:

“I would like express our deep concern and sympathy for the countries affected by Hurricane Matthew—the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean in almost a decade. We are very saddened by the reports of lives lost and widespread destruction. Several countries have suffered damage from the storm, including Colombia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and the Bahamas.

“Haiti, which is still recovering from a catastrophic earthquake six year ago, appears to have suffered some of the worst effects of the storm. We are very concerned by reports of extensive loss of life, flooding, and destruction, particularly in the southwestern part of the country that received the strongest impact from Hurricane Matthew.

“The Fund stands ready to help the authorities of member countries as they deal with the aftermath of this catastrophe.”