If you can believe it, it has been almost five years since Hurricane Sandy rampaged along the United States' east coast, particularly affecting the New Jersey and New York areas.

With the tragic effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, the U.S. Virgin Islands has been left with severe damage and its residents are in dire need of help.

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo/AP Photo

New Jersey certainly knows what it’s like to have to rebuild after a hurricane.

According to Press of Atlantic City, over 30 New Jersey EMS Task Force members will be leading a two week response mission to aid in hurricane relief on the U.S. territory.

Just last month, New Jersey's governor, Chris Christie, authorized 26 Security Forces Airmen to deploy to the U.S. Virgin Islands to assist in Hurricane Irma relief.

“Our continued thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Virgin Islands as they recover and rebuild their lives. New Jersey knows how a devastating hurricane can turn everyday life upside down,” said Christie.

The New Jersey residents will go to the Caribbean as part of a program known as EMAC (Emergency Management Assistant Compact). This allows U.S. states and territories to share state/territory resources to help one another after a natural or manmade disaster.

Photo: Caribbean National Weekly
“Our response teams train and plan for these types of scenarios on a regular basis and are well prepared to assist residents and fellow first responders already on the ground in helping to return some semblance of normalcy to the area,” Christie said.

Christie confirmed in a statement that the team will provide emergency medical service to extremely hard hit areas, some of which are without any functioning hospitals. The mission is for two weeks, but Christie noted that the team could be there longer, as the needs of the Virgin Islanders are great.

Gov. Chris Christie

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