The government of Dominica on Monday benefited from donations of emergency preparedness supplies made Courtesy of ChildFund Caribbean.
At a handing over ceremony held at the Office of Disaster Management in Jimmit donations were handed over to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Environment and Local Government Department.
The Ministry of Education received 24 first aid kits for a number of schools to assist with their school’s safety plans in the next coming weeks and 250 water bottles; the Local Government Department also received 24 first aid kits, 101 solar power lanterns, 45 solar chargers and 40 emergency radios; while the Ministry of Health and Environment received 4700 boxes of water purification sachets and 705 gallon pails.
In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika, ChildFund Caribbean expended in excess of EC$390,000 in providing emergency relief, psycho-social first aid and building resilience through improving preparedness for future response.
“Some of these funds are also going to be used to train….. we have two major training left until the end of June,” Director of Child Fund Dominica, Gelina Fontaine said while addressing the ceremony. “We are going to help train shelter managers in child protection in emergency settings, how they stay focused with everything going on and the rights of children during an emergency and after an emergency.”
Fontaine continued, “It’s a time in our life with the whole climate change happening that a lot of people need to be skilled and equipped to prepare and respond to emergencies.”
According to Fontaine she that ChildFund is phasing out of the Caribbean by the end of August, she is happy that the organization could make that contribution to Dominica.
Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux hopes that the contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way in responding to disasters.
“A lot of these little items that you are right now handing over, these are items that we take for granted but they come in handy and needed especially in the aftermath of disasters when water, power and everything else is cut off,” he stated.
He thanked organizations such as ChildFund who reached to Dominica in one way or the other following Tropical Storm Erika.
“I think it really gives hope for the future when everyone can come together and acknowledge that we are one people, one country and we need to help ourselves,” he noted.
Meantime, ChildFund’s Regional Director for the Americas, Paul Bode thanked his staff for assisting Dominica.
“I want to thank my own staff because it is not easy to think about responding to an emergency, if your own house and family is affected and they did that. They helped the government of Dominica to set up a remarkable response,” he said.
Bode mentioned further that he was happy to be able to help with the items which he says is of simple technology, though “effective” by providing portable water during emergencies which is one of the basic needs.
UDOHREADYET:
Why is it when ever anything good is done in Dominica regardless of what it is somebody goes
waw waw waw waw ?
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Wonderful gesture. My only hope is that the Government wont play politics with the items as customary. Distribute fairly.
Sorry to see ChildFund leaving Dominica.
They will go where they believe they are most needed.
Obviously, this is a great charity and has done a tremendous work. I was impressed when I read of their contributions. Those who supported them can rest assured you have “laid up treasures in heaven”
I It was most moving to see how they blessed Dominica on the way out. ChildFund will long be remembered and its workers will be forever loved on the nature island.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Such generosity. Many thanks to the Child fund organization.. You set a fine example for other organizations wordwide…May God bless your future endeavours to help other parts of the world.
Nicole:
You are so right.
ChildFund has set a fine example.
Some charities have disappointed the people and hurt those who loved and trusted them. Some have left a big question mark hanging in the air like
These people appear to be the hands of Christ extended to the needy.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Thank you for a well deserved donation. Hope some of the supplies be given to the Fire Department.
this is fantastic planning ahead especially where training and providing these kits to schools are concerned… thumbs up!
Why does everything in Dominica has a ceremony? some done with tens of thousands of tax payers money with outlandish speeches by politicians and carpit bagger politician wanner be
waw waw waw waw… that is your response. something is eating you up… its not the government nor child fund.
UDOHREADYET::
Why is it when any good thing is done in Dominica no matter what it is somebody goes
waw waw waw waw
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.