Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has appointed Baroness Patricia Scotland to serve as the country’s International Efforts Relief Coordinator, with immediate effect.
The announcement comes as Dominica grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Erika which dumped in excess of 10 inches of rainfall over a six-hour period on August 27.
In his letter announcing the appointment, Skerrit said efforts have been ongoing to mobilize international relief effort and Scotland’s appointment will ensure a focused and organized relief program, especially from foreign benefactors.
Meanwhile the Government has announced it is recognizing and endorsing the following GoFundMe.com page in the wake of the disaster:
T.S. Erika Relief Fund for Dominica
URL: http://www.gofundme.com/DA-ErikaReliefFund
So far 20 people have been confirmed dead after the passage of Erika. Several communities remain cut off from the rest of the island while a number of locations have been declared ‘special disaster areas.’ Resident of the community of Petite Savanne have been ordered to evacuate with immediate effect.
God Bless and strengthen the Hon. Prime minister with long life and a very long time in office. And God bless Baroness Patricia Scotland with long life. All those who don’t want to see her get to the top as secretary General of the Commonwealth will have to bury their heads in a bag because she definitely going right through, and will make Dominica proud. How many of all you that know Sanders and all the allegations against him, His own birth place Guyana don’t want him, it had to take Antigua Patricia’s father birth place to nominate that crook shame on Antigua. to reject a daughter of an Antiguan. But I will relax here because now is time to help rebuild the Nature Isle, and she is playing a leading roll in it. The opposition must stop that character assignation of hard working, progressive, smart Dominicans weather they are at home or abroad. we are all Dominicans.
It is so shameful to read those nasty comments of foolish people who believe they can do things but they have no diplomacy to even convince a cockroach. There is nothing wrong with the appointment of Pat to do what she knows to do best, I remembered her Father telling her in my presence at their home in St. Joseph that they should never forget the country that brought her to this earth as he told all his children never forget Dominica. To day I am very proud of her and the Hon. Pm that in a time of crisis she could stem forward and call him and offer to put all her efforts in getting help for Dominica, and the most painful thing is that those same people crying her down and the PM, are the ones to enjoy the fruits of her hard work But she is as brilliant as Pm Skerrit and together will work miracles to take Dominica out of that deadly destruction of Ericka. God knew exactly what he was doing on the 8th of December. Right now PM is the best and most capable person for Dominica.
When a nation forgets God – it is doomed to fail. Unless The Lord builds a house they labor in vain tha build it. Rebuild my people – ‘REBUILD” Sodom and Gommorah. Just remember, with the hatred, division, dishonesty, sodomy and all the other vices still abundant and God totally out of the picture, the enemy of our souls will ensure that next time Dominica is completely submerged beneath the ocean. IT IS TIME TO REPENT MY FELLOW CONTRY MEN. Pastors go back to your pulpits and encourage the nation to get to the alter and cry out to God with sackcloth and ashes for our country. God does not lie and his word has declared that he will bless those who are obedien to his will.
People, let’s put all these childish behaviour behind us. We have a country to rebuild. Everyone , everywhere has access to these comments. Let us unite for country’s sake. Many of us are working hard to assist folks back home. STOP CRITISING. Syop playing politics and let’s work together
Aeems like we are hurting more than you who are there. For the love of God. Take heed.
I really do not understand what the deal with that lady. Honestly I never expect the PM to play politics with a disaster such as this one. I mean come on man, there are people who died, those who are suffering and you thinking of a lady who should be the last person on your mind in a time like that to give her a position. You tried and the first opportunity you got, you took it, well done sir well done, keep on taking us for fools. I am not sure how many people read and listened to your speech sir, it was pure calypso, well camouflage.
Extremely Sad Times In Dominica, Sad times.
DNO how low will you stoop, now our nation is hurtling and bleeding and you are allowing your political operatives to post their political biasness. Please let us mourn and comfort each other. STOP HATERS, her birth certificate says, Dominica, therefore she is entitled to her birthrights.
baroness again? this pm just wont let go of his political games
Alas skeritt, when will you stop / you found the right opportunity to bring her in ,
She brought you in ,so by all means you wanted to bring her in ,and you got an opportunity,BOOM,you took it
DIsrespectful ,you had to ask oecs,which they refused you and her,
But you have no respect for your own people ,you just wram it down their throats ,without asking
GOD WILL DEAL WITH YOU,because ,inspite of who you bring,,,, MY GOD IS GREATER,,and your plans will fail
Let my people go, Salisbury people to face court on thursday morning for freedom of assembly; let my people go tax, tax and more road tax, where is the road now to pay the tax, let my people go!!! build the international Airport, no we are putting in Night Landing to save a labourite and his land who is now dead and gone!!! let my people go. …
Bad luck for our beloved island. But here again is double jeopardy- The accidental PM mishandling the bad accident. When will we get our luck back?
It seems like that lady is determined to get a position from Dominica, I wonder what’s her agenda. It also seems like the pm is very fond of her
Yes, we need all the help we can get but to appoint Baroness Scotland as our International Efforts Relief Coordinator is cynical and will be counterproductive. To have such a controversial and discredited person handle our Relief efforts, which calls for charity and a disposition towards selflessness, will surely make many potential donors think twice. Rightly or wrongly it will be seen as an vainglorious attempt to put Baroness Scotland in a positive light to restore her reputation, rather than focus on genuine help for Dominica.
International aid agencies & donors have well established procedures and networks, which have been proven and do not need the services of a self seeking, tarnished member of the establishment and there is no need for this new position. I would be far more impressed if Baroness Scotland were to donate, anonymously, the £300 she collects tax free every time she attends the House of Lords, towards our efforts to aid Dominicans, who have lost so much.
What about appointing Mano for that position since he was well qualified for the other appointment that had to do with passport? He was so well qualified that he got it hand up.
By the way my name is directly from Skerrit’s famous address to the nation, where the first 11 paragraphs were all about “I”, “M” and I, before he said one thing about the disaster.speech: Read it here: https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/pm-skerrit-the-nation/
Here is a favorite quote from his address:
“When the bad news broke immediately after this stimulating Conference, I tried to control my emotions. Yes, I was nearly overwhelmed by what happened. But I know that true leaders are those who keep their cool while others lose theirs.”
Can’t you people learn. The storm didn’t send no message to you! Can we for once put aside our grumpy grudge and hatred aside and comfort our nation and country people. This is one of the worst tragedy our nation has ever experienced and we still waiting to push our political agenda. Please if you can’t say something good, then say nothing. My people God will see us through.
Skerrit, you keep rubbing this waste of time woman in Dominicans face; if you wish to ensure her employment, why don’t you employ here as your house made, people who owns mansion usually employ made’s cooks, and bottlers to clean their mansion you know!
Besides “mansion” is defined as “manor” or shall I say the house of lord; She might get the opportunity to teach you how to develop a British accent, thus you can talk like an English man born in England oui!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!
Me only know how fu tack lik Wesley people oui!
@Francisco, I suggest you also apply for the house made position. Since you like stiring the pot, that position suites you perfectly.
Cannot be Dominicans in Dominica writing so much STUPEEEEEEE…. PLEASE PLEASE. FOR GOD’S SAKE>
I have said it before, I will say it again, I am concerned about the manner Skeritt is running the Reconciliation Advisory Committee. I was reliably informed that certain members of the committee including both Government and Opposition members were not informed of the nomination of the Baroness. As a matter of fact, a member complained that they got the news from DNO.
2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
We all need to catch a hold of that scripture and allow it to become a reality in our lives. Then and only then will we see change and a healing of our once beautiful nation. No amount of money or aid can heal DA. This is spiritual warfare and some things can only go by prayer and fast. Funding is just a temporary band-aid. The strong arms of the Lord is permanent.
Again I repeat:
2 Chronicles 7:14 New International Version (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
I am really disgusted by these comments. Sad to see how some Dominicans think. Let us really together to improve the situation. Can you let go of the petty politics if but for a minute?
Dominica Nationals , come on lets get real. In the case of a natural disaster in our small country why all this politics. We should be rallying together to get Dominica on a road to recovery. What is wrong with getting Baroness Scotland a Dominican with clout and of high esteem to negotiate and rally powers that be to provide funding to assist us in the recovery process.
Sometimes these disaster tend to bring nations together, forget the politics, forget the blame game, forget personalities, forget the “I” syndrome and just focus on the problem facing us, how together we can overcome this tragedy with God’s help. Keep praying folks.
People, Mrs Scotland is a Dominican like ourselves. She will influence help for Dominica.Dno stop p osting all comments for now. The world is laughing at us.
Playing politics in times of disaster. Do we know her. Does she know us.
Haitian are today still leaving in tent cities after the earth quake all the donations was stolen by people in charge in high office. knowing the style of governance in D A am a not confident the poor will get proper help
The decision of the PM, appointing the Baroness is an excellent one. She is an ideal person to carry out and to fulfill this mission. Who else is capable?
Her selection was a good choice, she has the ear of many influential people and the stamina to see it through.
Hurricane David was handled poorly by the government appointed overseas representatives who were not up to the task.
Ms. Scotland do not forget to call the UK national lottery organisation, and pressurise your old friend Tony Blair to squeeze his new found wealthy friends in the middle East.
Go Girl.
Interesting game of politics
Hello,
Please be advised that direct access paypal buttons; amazon.com, and ebay.com donation options at checkout are some of the leading independent donation options in these times.
Please take the necessary steps to have these as options.
Dominican,
Dr. Chester Hector
How are they to evacuate? By walking over the mountain top? Or by climbing into their fishing boats and take risks like the boat persons who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea? From Thursday afternoon, calls should have been made to open up efforts for assistance from the US, Britain, Canada, France, Venezuela, and who ever else offered!! No foreign experts have been mobilized four days later??? And all Mr. Skeritt appears to be doing is placing key operatives, including the above mentioned Madame Scotland, to do ‘top jobs’ with a view to redeem and popularize them in the eyes of the general public in order to again solidify his influence LONG-TERM!!! That is all that he is concerned about!!! Nothing else!!!! He seeks to SOLIDIFY his position as supreme and unchallenged ruler by sweetening his key supporters!! Sad example of a PM for any country………..we are only going to continue downhill under his stewardship, NO DOUBT!!! SAD,,,,,,,,,,
Joshua Francis has stated on his Facebook page that the PM has contacted the US government for assistance – the specifics were not mentioned. Venezuela is already providing assistance. From my understanding a State of Emergency needs to be declared in order to mobilise UN aid agencies. Currently 9 special disaster zones have been declared. Calling in the big guns impacts the authority of the local government in question as you have direct reports to the UN bodies. Florida had already declared a State of Emergency before Erika hit.
Nothing will ever please you. Instead of thanking God that you, of all have been spared and still have life and pray for those who have lost loved ones and property including the injured, you continue your charade of criticisms? So ungrateful! You are the types of people who get God angry and some nationals.
So how come so many persons were evacuated on sunday? You want to criticise only,better if you keep quiet than to show your stupidity!
wEH WEH WEH WEH WEH. Peace be with you.
Are the Government, banks, credit unions, other lending institutions, in collaboration with the ECCB, grant persons with mortgages, and other credit facilities, a grace period on repayments for a few months? Mostly everyone has to recover, with houses, vehicles, clothing, food, school issues etc. Despite external assistance, residents in Dominica will need this time to pull together before they can repay anything. Will the Ministry of Finance inform of the possibility?
Of course! It goes without saying. They cannot expect after this disaster that D/cans will have money to pay their debts unless they have money in the bank. Give them a break to inform the public accordingly. I expect, where necessary the government will assist them.
The Ministry of Finance do not control these institutions, in case you are lost we are living in a DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY, believe it or not!!!!!!!!
Guess persons badly hit will take their problem to the bank, however employed persons will not loose their jobs over the disaster therefore will be able to continue paying their mortgage.
Final point on this is mortgaged properties are usually fully insured therefore if the person has suffered 100% loss they will pay them or the financial institution!!!!
too much bureaucracy in a disaster!!!!!!
Skerritt should have gone for Tony Blair – they have so much in common and between them most of the money gained would end up in the right place (wink, wink :))
Hmph. Yes I PM.
You will have your way no matter what wi…Just letting you know I don’t agree with that appointment eh…I just don’t agree..
Baroness scotland, is a good choice for the job ex law maker in the UK and she knows many top people to open doors for her Dominica should be proud to have someone like her.
The Fly is your husband nick name, you add another alias to your fake names like Justice and Truth, Fact, Kid on the block, and all the others, Skerrit asked for unity, but here he is again with his political affiliate His baroness, he is still using politic in aftermath of a disaster, I witnessed it in Bath Estate, some of his own supporters are saying that what he did going to the houses of his supporters that this is not the right move, on one hand he is asking for unity all ofus to come together, yet on the other hand he is playing politics and division, and displaying his same old selfish ways, what a shame, what will it take for skerrit to understand that Dominica is not his estate and Dominican are not his commodities, Patricia Scotland is not the right person for this position
Fly that’s Dominica problem, always looking for somebody to open doors for you, open your own door. The bible say knock and the door will be open. Stop waiting for handout. Give me, give me.
Ask not what my country can do for me but what can I do for my country.
Actually Baroness Scotland only has high regard from the Dominica Government, She does not have this regard in the UK. Get your facts right.
Yes law-maker. But she also knows how to spectacularly break them!
That is a stupid comment, about Law maker in the UK. To clear the air, make it plain, state which law by penal code that you know she wrote and tabled in the House of Common in England, and it was passed, and implemented in England.
Any kind of crap is pleasure for some of you.
You cannot, if anything there was a scandal surrounding her in England. But as everything else to be in Skerrit’s cabal as an operative, one have to be tainted!
Has she received an ambassadorial appointment to perform this High Level function? What are our Ambassadors/High Commissioners to the UN,EU, US, UK, Canada, Russia, Australia, France, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, OAU, Morrocco et al doing? Has she supplanted their functions?
What about the other Go fund account , created by F Augustine . Who us in charge of that one.
ME I guess if F. Augustine created it then F. Augustine is in charge, what you think about that logic???
Is she the only educated women in Dominica, she alone get a position..
No she is not, but the PM will do anything and everything to get her in his gang of you know what. He did not succeed with the Secretariat position and his quest will not seize untill he can find her somewhere to fit in.
I am baffled, perplexed and dumbstruck. This a most inane and asinine decision. Our people want real help on the ground now and here is Roosevelt Skerrit still playing his Machiavelian games by appointing Mrs. Mawhinney to this important post. Using this disaster as an opportunity to revive her flagging campaign for the post of General Secretary of the Commonwealth. This is like sticking two finger up to our fellow Caricom members, who oppose her appointment. Yet, we are expecting these same Caricom countries to support us. Just imagine how they feel!
Not one penny of my money will go to this lady’s fund. I am helping my fellow Dominicans direct and immediately and I don’t need this Baroness for that. Stop playing games mr. Skerrit, especially at this time. Show your sensitivity, if you have any.
This is the same Baroness Scotland who was fined £5,000 in the UK in 2009 for employing illegal immigrants and paying them peanuts to clean her big house. Dominica can do better.
Eat your heart out. If you were worthy of it, capable and had the aptitude, you would have been appointed.
Stop the criticism, purchase a ticket and go down to DA to help. you don’t have to contribute to “this lady’s fund” but at least go see about your family. I am sick and tired of people like you who want to dictate how things should be done in DA. In your eyes, the PM can do nothing right. We do not need people like you spewing venom at this time of crisis in DA.
Wickedness of heart which caused this. They do not appreciate the sensible writing of others. They are fortunate that the majority of destruction was the infrastructure. None of them knew if they would have lived through this tropical storm. They continue to spew their hatred and criticism. Even a disaster will not change them. One day they will get it.
I agree , help people drectly . I dont believe in just giving money . There are always so called admin fees etc etc. Look at Haiti thats a classic example of mismanagement
I see some people on swing ropes trying to go over cliffs and rivers and my heart is in my hand watching all the people working so hard in the rescue and recovery process.
Were you one of them Titiwi? Helping and offering help? Or you are one of those who sit by and say, they should do this and they should do that or they shouldn’t do that or shouldn’t do this?
You know we have many back seat drivers, that their only objective is to distract the driver. God grant our PM and Government your helping hand to do what he must do for our country and for all of us.
Little Titiwi is one of the backseat drivers. Very good at criticisms. As the saying: “When it comes to helping, some people stop at nothing.” They cannot suggest anything feasible. This looks like Titiwi..
Titiwi
I agree with your sentiments.
The opposition must realise that the P M will use this disaster as a campaign mascot for the next election, he will trivialise the assistance others provide.
The P M needs to delegate responsibility to other more qualified Dominicans, he is too controlling.
The P M is too involved, he should not be responsible for the disbursement of the disaster funds, we need an all-party committee to administer this.
Also, all rebuilding work should be offered to all available and capable Dominicans. This is not an opportunity to make cronies and supporters rich and to exclude other citizens who do not support the Labour Party,
Let us take the opportunity to reach out to ALL Dominicans and stop acting as if we are God.
P,s. Will Patrcia relinquish her House of Lords responsibilities
You can never see the good in anything.
You are acting as if you are God. Note your comments. Oh please! Give us a break and keep your advice to yourself. Go and practice it.
Are you serious Mr. Skerrit? Have you really surrendered sir? Baroness Patricia Scotland again? You using the storm to play politics? Are we on a political campaign or recovery effort? Alas Papa Bodier help us!
Why is there such a blinding refusal to release the names of those who perished? We can’t even offer specific condolences to people/families 72hours after the fact? Come on man. Do you know the level of heart renching anxiety people internationally are going through when you can’t even call and reach people in the effected areas?
This action indicates that the P M hads no intention of changing his ways.
He will continue to discriminate against certain Dominicans. Even in times
of terrible disaster this man is acting as if he is more powerful than the force of God! I hope that the people you have been supporting will come forward to make generous donations.
P M take note that you are not more powerful than God the Almighty. Even you could not stop Erika!
If I give my dollars to help the victims of Dominica, I would want it to be given to the needy and not the rich family and friends of certain people. So for that reason I am out.
Good luck Dominicans.
This is all in your mind. Criticisms and assumptions as usual. It is not fair to the PM.
You give what you can afford and leave the rest to whoever may get it. When you do, you should be satisfied that you have done your part. This should be your concern.
Nelson you hate Skerrit so much you cannot even speak from a logical stand point. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!
This only goes to show that DA is prepared for nothing in the way of disasters. There is no forward thinking and preparedness, only meetings and drills which do not suffice in the face of disaster. Community leaders should have been mobilized and emergency supplies put to use. What happened to the clorox that was suppose to sanitize the water in each community and the filtration systems?
Anonymous2 Remember the last budget? How many members of the Opposition members voted in favour of the Overdraft? That is planning ahead, wouldn’t you agree? God works in mysterious ways.
Do you remember Hurricane Katrina and the US? We have to stop putting our country down. Let us give thanks to God and realize that Tropical Storm Erika could be so much worse. Look at us; we are sitting in front of a computer and we have access to the internet. Thanks DNO and the utility companies.
Let us use this access to sympathize with the Government and People of Dominica and let us help where we can. If we are not on the ground for physical help, our Donation of cash and kind will help. And encourage those on the ground instead of looking for ways to demoralize their efforts.
God Grant me the Serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Joe
On the contrary, I like Mr Skerrit. But I do not like the way he treats people who do not support his ideology.