The Red Cross Society of the People’s Republic of China has donated US$30,000 to the Dominica Red Cross Society (DRCS) which will go towards ‘relief and reconstruction’ following a trough system which affected the island on Christmas Eve last year.
In a brief ceremony held at DRCS’ office on Monday, Director Dominica Red Cross Kathleen Pinard-Byrne said the financial aid shows the true humanitarian bond which exists between Dominica and China.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helene Royer, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the country, stated she is confident that the DRCS will make the best use of the donation.
“I would like to express our heartfelt and sincere gratitude to the Dominica Red Cross Society of China, through the embassy of the People’s Republic of China, for their kind donation of US$ 30,000 to the Dominica Red Cross as humanitarian aid for post floods relief and construction,” she said. “This donation is very appropriate and will go a long way in helping us recover from our losses and the recipients of this donation will be happy.”
Counselor Wong Zhaoseng, of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Dominica, said since the two countries established diplomatic relations, cooperation in every field has been “going on smoothly.”
“China and Dominica are friendly countries and we are partners, supporting each other in the international arena,” she said. “We are facing a lot of challenges and difficulties in the process of constructing China and also we feel the same when we see our friends, brothers and sisters in Dominica, facing the same challenges and difficulties.”
Zhaoseng also noted that she is very pleased to see the determination of the government and the resilience and fortitude of the people of Dominica, and mentioned that the country has made great strides in its relief efforts.
On Christmas Eve 2013 a trough system caused heavy flooding in the southern part of Dominica.
The total clean-up cost was estimated at $830,000 and included clearing of roads, drains and dredging of rivers.
Rehabilitation of infrastructure and mitigation works were estimated at $45-million.
Thanks China and the Red Cross for helping us with a collection of basics that you gave after the flood to get us back in operation at home again. It made a big difference financially and to know that somebody cares.
Thanks China