WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has allocated funds for the northern and southern combatant commands to provide assistance to Caribbean nations and US communities in the path of Hurricane Matthew, Department of Defense spokesman Peter Cook said in a briefing on Thursday.
"The secretary approved the release of $11 million in funds for SOUTHCOM [Southern Command] to support Hurricane Matthew's relief efforts in Haiti and other countries of the Caribbean," Cook told reporters.
Cook explained that Carter is receiving regular briefings on preparation efforts concerning Hurricane Matthew and "decisions will be made on what and where the greatest needs are."
The Northern Command will support Hurricane Matthew relief efforts on the Southeastern seaboard of the United States through the US National Guard, and will coordinate logistics with the Federal Emergency Management Administration, local and state officials, Cook added.
Hurricane Matthew is expected to have its greatest impact on Florida’s east coast.
