Dominica donates four containers to three Hurricane Irma affected islands

Scene of destruction in St. Martin

Minister for National Security, Rayburn Blackmoore, has revealed that the government, in collaboration with “large groups” of Private Sector companies and the Dominica Export Import Authority (DEXIA), is putting together four twenty-foot containers of relief supplies for Hurricane Irma affected St. Martin, Anguilla and British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Speaking at a press conference on September 11, at the Financial Centre, Blackmoore said that the government has contracted boat owners from Portsmouth to facilitate the transportation of the supplies and they will leave Dominica no later than the evening of Tuesday September 12th 2017.

“St. Martin was very, very quick in responding to us when we experienced the monster Tropical Storm Erika. Bearing in mind also that we have a significant Dominican population in both the French and Dutch sides, so we are moving with quick dispatch, starting tomorrow, to transport two containers of dry goods and water,” he said.

Blackmoore noted that these initiatives are all in an effort to “touch the lives of our friends in St. Martin, Tortola and Anguilla.”

Disaster Risk Management Consultant, Cecil Shillingford, stated that two containers will be going to St. Martin: are one with dry goods and the other with just water. Tortola and Anguilla, he said, will be receiving one container each mixed with dry goods and water.

“This is just the initial shipment. For that shipment we are looking specifically at food ready to eat, for dry goods, so some of the things like ketchup, and pepper and salt, we are leaving that out just for the while and as we move forward we can move into these areas,” he said.

He noted that the “barging of water” is of key importance both for drinking and sanitation, and the government is looking at that possibility to add to the amount of relief efforts being provided.

The shipment of water to the affected islands will be sourced by local companies who produce water and those who bring in water “to get as much water as possible,” according to Shillingford.

“As a matter of fact, the two producers of water are working overtime right now to provide the government of Dominica with the amount of water that is needed,” he said.

Shillingford has also revealed that an appeal fund account has been made at the National Bank of Dominica (NBD) for local, regional and international persons who would like to donate.

The account is titled ‘The Government of Dominica Hurricane Irma Relief Fund,’ with account number 615000493, and a press release with more information will be made available to the media subsequently.

“As we move forward, we will also look at other ways we can assist the people of Dominica in providing relief to the people of this stricken area,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said one of the matters that was discussed at the CARICOM meeting on Saturday is the issue of Dominica supplying bulk water to Anguilla, St Maarten/St Martin and the BVI, Tortola.

“Now we are looking at the possibility of using barges to get these inflated containers placed on the barges fill it up with water and have it transported to these islands,” he said.

“We are working with CARICOM on this,” he stated.

He mentioned that Dominica itself is exploring with other countries and CARICOM, through the secretary general, to see whether they can have these barges.

“There are some barges available, what we need now are the containers, the containers to fill up with water, so that on an ongoing basis we would be in a position to supply drinking water to these countries in bulk,” he noted.

Another suggestion he said is to have a water tanker, “that we could all make a contribution towards purchasing.”

He said that tanker can be used when water is needed by different countries.

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22 Comments

  1. truth
    September 12, 2017

    people is afraid to donate ,as long this moneys is reaching in government hands, No one trusts this Dominican government, Up to this day, No one knows how much money was collected for erica, and where it was spent, And we are afraid ,because the same will happen, No one will know how much money will be collected, and how much will be disbursed ,,Sad but true, No transparency .

  2. Music Producer
    September 12, 2017

    This is called reciprocity – it’s a mutual agreement between countries to aid and abet during disastrous times, and this one such time. It has nothing to do with God, Skerrit, ministers or any political affiliation. Educate yourselves and stop being foolish and ignorant.

    • UDOHREADYET
      September 13, 2017

      thank you… i just cannot understand why Dominicans commenting here and elsewhere continue to be so ignorant and foolish with their mindset.

  3. September 12, 2017

    Commendable efforts from my Dominican people. Afterall, we are one people, separated by seas, but united nonetheless!

  4. September 12, 2017

    Very good news Mr Blackmoore! I am sure they’ll appreciate all the help from us Dominicans!

  5. September 12, 2017

    Good vibes all around

  6. September 12, 2017

    Unity like bazaylic tea!

  7. September 12, 2017

    My heart is warmed reading this. I must commend the efforts of the government and all the businesses who are on board with this venture.

  8. Pro Skerrit
    September 12, 2017

    Blackmoore, you and Skerrit never agree on information you put out going back to when you wanted to get rid of the commissioner and PM came back and said not you but only he can do such things. So I don’t pay any you any mind. Furthermore, which Dominican private sector can AFFORD to donate 4 containers to hurricane supplies? In the event what you saying is true I believe Skerrit paid those private sector guys for their donations, maybe even more than the cost, and have it go out as private sector. Only if the private sector groups you talking about are those passport dealers, including those that we saw letters from friends of the government advising Monfared NOT to send money on the name of the station

  9. Giving flowers
    September 12, 2017

    I know fellow Dominicans residing in those affected countries are tempted to return, and wish they could run back home to weather the storm because gwayay for gwayay it is much better to gwayay home than to catch hell in the foreign; but folks I warning all you PLEASE DON’T yield to that temptation, because in our case under the lazy SKerrit and his corrupt government, they can only host you for no more than three days to vote and keep them in power so they could destroy Dominica and hide from their sins. It would be good if you could stay for at least a month so all could see what we going through on a daily basis. but I know Skerrit will do everything to keep you all away so all you don’t see the mess we have going on here. So try to get some of the $2.3 million and 4 containers they sending but weather the storm where you are, knowing he has the address of each of you come vote time, and I know he will send you ur CBI small business share he distributing here to his supporters.

  10. Irma and Jose
    September 12, 2017

    I commend the government of Dominica for reaching out to the hurricane victims with $2.3 million dollars and four containers of whatever. It is the right thing to do, especially remembering Erika in 2015, and how the Caribbean stood with us. In addition to the cash and containers we donated I wish we were in a position where we as a people could invite some of the hurricane victims or they on their own accord would see Dominica as a country they could come to during this difficult time, especially our own Dominicans that might not even be legal in those islands. Let’s face it half the population of Antigua & Babuda, a good 1/3 of Anguillans, 1/3 of those in the BVI, 1/4 of Turks and Caicos and maybe 1/3 of Virgin Islands are Dominicans, and the majority of them ran out after a storm. It would be nice if they could come back now since they are affected by a storm knowing their is a job for them in DA. But Alas! NEP is the only company employing the past 15 yrs and no hope. How sad

    • UDOHREADYET
      September 13, 2017

      just pure unadulterated nonsense.

  11. Dominican
    September 12, 2017

    We need to get our water out to these islands. this is the best opportunity to market the bulk shipment of water from Dominica. Those with the license to ship out bulk water from Dominica, and have the solution for every development idea for Dominica “come ye forward NOW” and get going.

  12. Memory
    September 11, 2017

    What the government should be looking at is selling water to other countries, like we once did,
    Some years ago, make use of all that water flowing into the sea.

  13. God bless Dominica
    September 11, 2017

    Great move God blessed

  14. Katmandu_Prince
    September 11, 2017

    It is really heartwarming to see our region coming together to support each other in times of need.

  15. Let The Truth Be Known - Original
    September 11, 2017

    Dominica has so much water, is blest with it that it will never run out of water.
    Thank God Dominica can help in various ways.

  16. Be Good
    September 11, 2017

    what the people want water good vibes

  17. September 11, 2017

    To God be the glory, whatsoever you do unto our brothers and sisters god will do unto us. One hand washes the other, when we were in similar situation, they all step up to assist us, its obvious, we should len a hand in kindness, to assist our brothers and sisters, hopefully in light and as a result of our express kindness, lots can come to us as a result, namely, a few of those barges might be gifted to us, markets might be open for our life saving water, on purchase going forward, our international Airport, might get the support and finicial boost we so badly need to build our international Airport. we offer prayers to all those affected br the Hurricane, and following man made diaster, may all Dominicans remember we all in this together,one love, one nation, one Caribbean, we all connected.

  18. bigger
    September 11, 2017

    Yes Sir I applaud this initiative. LEADERSHIP is in order

  19. Dominica Massive
    September 11, 2017

    Very great move

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