Dominica gets $100,000 relief donation from St. Vincent

The donation was made on Thursday
The donation was made on Thursday

Dominica has benefited from a $100,000 donation courtesy of the St Vincent and the Grenadines government in the wake of the passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

A cheque was presented to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and CARICOM Affairs, Francine Baron by Cultural Ambassador of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Rondy McIntosh at the Ministry of Finance conference room on Thursday morning.

McIntosh said at the handing over ceremony that the monies were raised from a relief concert, one of the biggest held in St Vincent.

“That concert turned out to be one of the biggest concerts we ever had in St Vincent and that is the kind of out pouring we had of support for our sister country Dominica,” he stated. “We had all the top local artistes at that concert. We also had out of Jamaica, Mr. Vegas, we had T.O.K, and we had Sizzla, to name a few.”

McIntosh was the host of the concert
McIntosh was the host of the concert

McIntosh revealed that he was contacted by the Minister or Foreign Affairs of St Vincent to host the concert during a tour in Haiti.

“I can clearly remember that on August 27, 2015. I was somewhere on tour in Haiti and social media started blowing up, so I was wondering what was going on with Dominica…I started calling people asking what is going on, and when the pictures started coming in I realized the magnitude of what was happening. At that point I could have related to it because in 2013 we had our own incident in St Vincent,” he explained.

McIntosh encouraged persons in the region to stand with each other.

“I believe that through the region we must all stand with each other,” he noted. “Sometimes the politicians don’t unite us as much as they really should, but we as Caribbean people must always strive to reach out to our neighbours in whatsoever little way we can. This morning I am here to say, Dominica we are here with you and any support that you need please reach out to us. We can help in whatever way we can.”

Meantime, Baron said following the passage of Tropical Storm Erika the response from regional and international friends and partners were immediate.

“The government and people of our sister island St Vincent and the Grenadines were right there with us, we did not have to call on them, they called,” she stated. “They said, ‘you were with us when disaster struck us and we are with you now. We will help you Dominica.’”

Baron said this is a testament of true friendship and solidarity, “and proof of our OECS unity.”

Furthermore, she stated that following the August 27 storm, the government of St Vincent sent nurses, Doctors and engineers to assist Dominica.

Foreign affairs minister, Francine Baron
Foreign affairs minister, Francine Baron

Baron also indicated that, “because of the generosity of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines we were able to place bridges in the damaged area along the West Coast…”

This she said allowed vehicular access to be restored along the West Coast in record time, due to that assistance.

She mentioned that another initiative geared at raising funds in St Vincent was the sale of paper planes at $1.00 each with a message of support and solidarity to Dominica.

“I believe that Mr. McIntosh will very shortly make a donation to us of those paper planes which contains messages of support and solidarity from the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Baron said.

She thanked the government and the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines for the support.

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24 Comments

  1. Cyril Volney
    February 12, 2016

    Thank You, SVG.

    • Doc. Love
      February 13, 2016

      While you are thanking the SVG, I hope whatever SVG has given us goes to the people of Dominica. According to a picture which was portrayed in the media, approximately one year ago, Francine was seen to be receiving US $10,000 on behalf of charitable organizations. To this day, she has never denied that she received the money. In recent times, you Volney, have been showing a lot of interest in the politics of Dominica and the activities of the Skeritt led administration, to the extent that you have been criticizing Mr. Lennox Linton, leader of the official opposition. Maybe, you could investigate the case of the missing US $10,000, rather the approximate EC $27,000.

  2. Dan is de man in de van
    February 12, 2016

    These die hard idiots who can’t seem to get it in you all heads.there will never be an international airport in Dominica ever…. The geography will not permit it…why do u think there was never one built. All the other islands have one except Dominica. seek information before u all start braying…… This has nothing to do with the government. It is too much just to find a spot, get rid of the mountains excavate, etcetera.. These will take billions of dollars.. So if u all can raise these money let’s go then in the mean time continue to use the seaport.demand that the government increase the ferry services from the French islands and other hubs to allow Tourists And locals to get to the Dominica. Same day…. Also all them independent travel agencies needs to work together to increase their services as well with packages for travelers. From the moment they depart to their final destination… Until u all get this Tourism in Dominica will not go any further than it is…

  3. Humanitarian
    February 11, 2016

    It is 6 months since Erika, holes in the roads, landslides still not addressed, temporary bridges! I am sorry but this is very embarrassing for the island and the Government. Dominica has been given a lot of monetary help, however, there is absolutely no accountability. Please let all of us Dominicans know how much money has been given and how the Government is going to spend this money to repair this island of ours!! I also feel that the countries that have donated the monies need to know what the money has bee spent on. It is very embarrassing that the PM did not tell all the people in St. Joseph what his plans are to repair Dominica, to make Dominica shine and sparkle once more. Instead the PM did a very interrogative rant about the opposite party which anyone could feel was childish and totally out of order! Please be the leader of Dominica which you have been elected to do and get on with the job of putting Dominica back together!

  4. Peter Potter
    February 11, 2016

    Baron make sure this cheque is deposited in the right account! By the way, in which account did the cheque for US$ 10,000 end up in???

  5. Shameless
    February 11, 2016

    8-O Ummmmmmmm, i have flashbacks on the $10,000.00 USD that was collected by a baron in Malaysia for us and we are yet to have proper accountability. Please lord let there be accountability for this cheque for the sake of the nation. :cry:

    Always Assertive! :twisted:

  6. Red Ants Bite
    February 11, 2016

    Ralph give us our international airport back! You tricked our young PM and laborites like myself and now your conscience beating you, you giving Skerrit G…money. We need our airport back and take your money back from Skerrit and Baron. They too like money.

  7. Not So Fast
    February 11, 2016

    Money keeps coming in with fanfare but once it leaves the donors hand no more report on how it is being spent.. Francine where is the $10,000 US dollar cheque you recieved and posed with on MDTH?

  8. dissident
    February 11, 2016

    How much relief money have we collected in total thus far????
    Realistically we looking to raise $1.3 BILLION!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    CAN SOME GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL BOLDLY STEP TO DE MIKE AND COME CLEAN WITH WE THE PEOPLE????
    VINCE CLAIM WE COLLECT $124 MILLION FROM JULY 2015 TO JANUARY 2016 FROM PASSPORT SALES!!
    5 MONTHS AFTER ERICA $100,000 REPRESENTS 0.076% OF THE $1.3 BILLION WE LOOKING TO RAISE AND
    VINCE HENDERSON CLAIM OF $124 MILLION IN PASSPORT SALES REPRESENTS ROUGHLY 10%.
    you guys are so hopeless!!!!!
    almost 6 months after a devastating storm my minister of finance PM who is famous with Kings and Knights, Barons and Baronesses have us all clueless looking for answers.
    when this is recorded in our history books we will see who will shine as a real leader!!!!!!!

  9. Nana
    February 11, 2016

    The countries who have donated monies, and continue to do so, to aid Dominica after Erika. Should be told what these monies will be spent on and proof shown that this had been done.

    If the people who profess to govern Dominica behave like children, or worse, then that is how they should be treated.

  10. Me
    February 11, 2016

    Thank you very much St. Vincent. That is more than we have seen so far from our own Baroness.

  11. February 11, 2016

    Zero confidence in Francine Baron

  12. zuma
    February 11, 2016

    All dominicans make sure this money is accounted for with a written docunent outlining exactly the mentioned intent. It is an absolute shame that we do not trust those who govern us and the State… Arnachy…Money talks BS walks… ..

  13. Red Ants Bite
    February 11, 2016

    Before I comment please allow me to quote some scriptures:

    Genesis. 27:35 Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

    Gen. 27:36 Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing.

    In Gen. 32 Jacob sent gifts to Esau, to pave the way for reconciliation.

    The PM of St. Vincent realized he tricked the PM and people of Dominica, when at a DLP meeting he told supporters that Dominica could not afford an airport and then fools like myself applauded. Less than two months later we found out that same PM went back to St. Vincent and built an international airport, while we remain with our Erika Water Port.

    The St. Vincent PM knows he fooled all of us so he trying to make back. However I would much rather have an international airport than his $100, 000 peace money. A good help but far from the $1.3 billion we need

    • Tjebe Fort
      February 11, 2016

      Brother, right now I would prefer a big cheque rather than scripture, honestly. I can not use scripture to buy food or pay my mortgage, know what I mean bro?

      • Red Ants Bite
        February 11, 2016

        I used the scripture to show how Jacob tricked Esau to get the blessing and how Jacob later sent gifts to Esau in an effort to buy back confidence, because to me, that’s exactly what Ralph is doing because he knows he tricked us to get our international airport. So please read the rest

  14. February 11, 2016

    Thanks,St.Vincent we are very grateful in Dominica for your generousity,We hope those affected by TS Erika benefited by this funds.

  15. Just Me
    February 11, 2016

    Thanks so much Mr. McIntosh and the people of St. Vincent.

    Now Madame Minister please add the donation of the US$10,000 to the Dominica Disaster Relief Fund to this one. I Thank You.

  16. Roseau River
    February 11, 2016

    Thank you to the citizens and government of SVG.

  17. passing cloud
    February 11, 2016

    But Ms. Baron you are not the minister of Finance or his ….,why is you that always receiving money on his behalf nou? I starting to feel itchy about that you know. Anyways, our eyes will remain on the checque until it is deposited in OUR account.

  18. I Am a True Dominican
    February 11, 2016

    On behalf of all Dominicans…..Thank you to St. Vincent & the Grenadines and all the donors.
    May God continue to bless our sister island and its people.
    We appreciate all the help we can get.

  19. My Take
    February 11, 2016

    Thanks very much to Dr. Ralph and the people of STV and the grenadines for coming through again. First it was the three bridges and now $100,000 cash. We really appreciate your care and generosity at this time of need.
    Though I am gateful I must confess that sometimes I tend to wonder if it is because you feel bad that you tricked us when you told us that we did not need an international airport only to find out you went and built one in St. Vincent, with funs from the same Tiwan that was about to help fund ours.

    But we cannot blame you and your government for being smarter than us and our government.

  20. Doc. Love
    February 11, 2016

    Typo:Francine Baron again.

  21. Doc. Love
    February 11, 2016

    Francine Brown again, this woman should stay away as far as possible from any type of donations. For months, she has been asked to give an account for an alleged US $10,000 she received on behalf of charitable organizations in Dominica, she has remained moumou. Now she has the guts to show her face receiving more donations on behalf of Dominicans one more time. She is thanking the people and Government of St. Vincent on behalf Dominicans, that is great. Who can Dominicans thank for the alleged missing US $10,000.

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