Former Prime Minister appeals for assistance for Dominica

Seraphin was Prime Minister when Hurricane David struck in 1979
Seraphin was Prime Minister when Hurricane David struck in 1979

Former Prime Minister, Oliver J Seraphin, who had to deal with the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane David in 1979, has made an appeal for international assistance following the devastation caused by Tropical Storm Erika.

“I was Prime Minister during Hurricane David in 1979, at a similar event, and the world did respond in huge way as we did receive assistance from the entire planet as it were and I am suggesting that if it is any way at all that anyone with a conscience, that has a heart for helping those who have been affected, we are asking that you do the best that you can,” he stated.

The former Prime Minister noted that he cannot find a word to describe what Dominica is going through after the ravages of Erika.

“One of which of course is the fact that we have many deaths, there are villages that have been ravaged by the storm, there have been floods and the floods have washed away building, the road network has been affected …” he remarked.

He noted that the present Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has launched an appeal which is being managed by Baroness Patricia Scotland because the fact remains that Dominica is in need of help.

“So we are launching an appeal to the world community,” Seraphin said.

Oliver Seraphin became Prime Minister of Dominica on June 25 1979, at the request of the “Committee of National Salvation” following civil disturbances in May 1979.

Just three months later, on August 29, 1979 Hurricane David, described as one of the deadliest hurricanes of the latter half of the 20th century, struck Dominica, killing about 56 people.

Following the Hurricane,  Seraphin was credited for a number of bi-lateral initiatives in relation to aid for Dominica including visits to Canada, the United States, France, Venezuela and Barbados.

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29 Comments

  1. Dominican american
    September 9, 2015

    Dominicans are too ungrateful! U all eat oj
    Food and never voted for him but mano
    Gave u all a wiping to learn from.
    Dominican love abuse, I think slavery has
    Something to do with the way you all think.
    Stop with the attitude of looking for a hand down
    Help will come. Dominican are not hungry.
    I live on a foreign country where I get no hand down
    Than hard work and a bad economy.
    Can u believe it? I don’t know where my meals
    Fore the week coming from. I don’t get good stamp.
    Don’t think food stamp is for anyone who wants.
    Think again? I say this to say you all are that you all
    Are not starving to death regardless to the storm
    Stop the attitude of greed hand down and
    Lay back attitude. Presently am unable to send
    Anything but hopefully I’ll send in the future. That’s how down and out I am u all are better off than me ration will come America has its problems don’t u all
    Think? If it was a politicalcris situation u would see how
    Quick they would show up…

  2. LawieBawie
    September 9, 2015

    Wow..!! This article says that about 56 people died during Hurricane David. All these years I never realized that the number of fatalities had been so high.

  3. Observer
    September 9, 2015

    Statesmanship par excelence! Waiting to hear what our two other former Prime Ministers have to say.

  4. who vex loss
    September 9, 2015

    ok lilly

  5. Justkum
    September 9, 2015

    Ok..in 1979 Dominica was hit by a devastating storm and assistance poured in from all over the world..Grateful!..in 2015 like 36 years later Dominica again hit hard by another storm and we need even a higher level of outside help than in 1979..
    The question is why after 36 years we’re not better able to help ourselves? This is not to say that we wouldn’t need outside help, but we would have less need, less suffering among the average dominican.

    What happened to the Urban economies? Why aren’t the average working Dominican able to have a reserve of at least $5000 EC in the Bank??

    Sometimes I wonder if we’re really growing economically. Are we better off 36 years later than in 1979?

    The whole Economy need restructuring to allow it to grow..

    • Danziger
      September 9, 2015

      Our Economie pass in buying false hair, nails,all things that will drive us crazy at the end,always sapay at all time. Some of us lazy like paytar ballar criticize every thing others do don’t forget the killer word JEALOUSY.

  6. Meme
    September 9, 2015

    Thank you Dr.O.J. I was a child during hurricane David but I remembered that we went thru and how you were able to get support from outside. Lead the way Dr. OJ lead the way. It really brought tears to my eyes just hearing from you. Continue to rally for DOMINICA. ALL MUST EAT

  7. The Real Facts
    September 8, 2015

    Someone mentioned Canada has not yet responded. The Federal Government is not in office. Since last month, it is disbanded for a new election in October. They are busy traveling campaigning.
    This election is costing Canadian taxpayers an exorbitant sum. At this moment I cannot recall the amount. This may be the reason why you have not yet heard from this government. They are in a campaign mode as also the Canadian public.

  8. debenture
    September 8, 2015

    Good appeal but in the same breath we must also thank those who have given both in a small way and a big way, both at home and abroad
    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/?s=digicel++erika

  9. September 8, 2015

    O.J is also an illustrious son of Dominica .

  10. Dominica massive
    September 8, 2015

    Very great appeal Mr.O J.U also made a difference in your time.Hold strong my brother…..

  11. Committee of National Salvation
    September 8, 2015

    Where is the Committee of National Salvation? Are they all alive today? If yes, Dominica needs them now more that we did in 1979, because the policies of Skerrit compromised everything, which made it much easier for Erica to pass through. As a way forward we need the 1979 committee to request that OJ Seraphin becomes Prime Minister again to see if he will not be able to win the hearts of the international world that helped us in 1979, because quite clearly the main players of 1979 are not with us today, thanks to Skerrit, and I cannot see us recovering without them. In 1979 the USA was the Key player as their presence was seen and felt in every village, town and parish. Where are they today? Another key player was the Canadians. Where are they this time? I know the Brits are here but in 1979 they were here in a very big way. Where are the Frecnch? In 1979 we got help from Japan, Venezuela, the Caribbean, the French, and others but the USA was the lead player. Where are they today?

    • The Real Facts
      September 8, 2015

      Some of you are unfair. You get me angry.
      Do you not think that your attitude, your overall criticisms and disrespect, made it much easier for Erica to pass through? :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted: :mrgreen:
      God knows all what some of you stated on this Website. I told a few of you, you will be punished; you will pay for it; mark my words
      Soon after this tropical storm Erika ravaged Dominica. You are a national and you are very much part of it. If there is anyone to blame, blame yourself.
      Note the recent civil disturbance of protests. You have the audacity to blame the PM. In future you will be punished much worst. Yes! Mark my words!
      It appears you have not yet thanked God for sparing you. You continue with your old, unloving and uncaring mannerisms. You are not helping your country one bit. You have nothing constructive to offer but negativity and criticisms. Watch out!

      • Committee of National Salvation
        September 9, 2015

        @ The Real Facts, who do you think you are? You think you are God, you wicked hypocrite? Why is your heart so full of evil that you always want to wish ill to people that say things that you don’t like to hear? I will not waste my time wishing for you to be punished because you already sound like a person that using God’s name in vain. What is it I said that is true? Didn’t OJ do a marvelous job getting funds for Dominica in 1979? Didn’t we see the presence of Americans all over Dominica? Am I wrong to say the Americans are not seen this year? Do you anything about whether or not Mr. Skerrit signed a document with other Spanish member countries, banning funds from the USA? I am simply asking you if you know anything about that ok. May God bless you and NEVER PUNISH you because you are the ONLY RIGTEOUS one in the world!

    • who vex loss
      September 9, 2015

      Died with Mamo rosie,Maynard & Pierro etc.

    • September 9, 2015

      Ask Skerritt.
      He joined Alba and run his mouth on issues regarding America
      that he has no knowledge.
      Meanwhile, he is ensuring that all his children are being born
      in the US.
      Why not Venezuela? His sons could be trained and continue
      the work of “their grandfather Chevez.

  12. memoi
    September 8, 2015

    I might be too dumb to understand what is going on, but why we have not heard anything from Baroness Scotland? I would think she would have something to say about international help, who is helping and what we will be getting. If that is not what she was hired to do, I would like someone to let me know so I won’t look like a fool believing that but I really think she was in charge of those sort of things. I would like to know from her why we have not heard much from the Americans in terms of help. was it something we did, say or is doing or they are just not helping because they cant at this time. We need to know things, we are still in the dark.
    Sad Times In Dominica, Sad times.

    • The Real Facts
      September 8, 2015

      If you would think, you would know that she is communicating with the PM and vice versa. Do you have to know everything?
      You must be careful of what you state; stones that you throw at others on this Website for everyone is reading your comments; those who you do not visualize are doing so. You could harm your own country and nationals.
      Some of you had much to state against her and also the US. Now you want help from especially the US? If the US has not yet helped, this will be done later.

      • Ma Moses
        September 9, 2015

        Yeah, yeah communicating with the P.M., maybe strategising would be a better word. I have a nasty feeling he gave her that post unilaterally as a birthday present, She reached 60 on 19 August and I gather she had a party on the weekend before Erika and P.M’s return via St. Lucia.

  13. Me
    September 8, 2015

    Oh DEAR, o.j. rides again! I suggest you send your money to Aspen Assurance in Panama, in Bitcoins.

  14. September 8, 2015

    Welcome back OJ, we need all hands on deck. experience is a great teacher. We all in this together.

  15. Anthony P. Ismael
    September 8, 2015

    Brother O.J. leads the way.

    • TeteMorne I from...
      September 9, 2015

      OjJ you have come to stay, show us the way-aaay

      Lead the way brother OJ, lead the way

      Is Dominica that put you there to win the opposition leader

      Lead the way brother OJ, lead the way

      Y’all remember this song??

    • who vex loss
      September 9, 2015

      Ok Lilly!

  16. ATKINSON
    September 8, 2015

    I hope the assistance will not be in Bitcoins :mrgreen:

  17. Apple
    September 8, 2015

    U were a decent prime minister for the
    Short time

    • September 9, 2015

      Very much so. Sincere politician.

  18. more fire
    September 8, 2015

    If we don’t get all the help we need as was the case with hurricane David, we will blame it on the “world economic crisis”

  19. %
    September 8, 2015

    Good job OJ! Can remember supporting your party!
    Still remember a line or two of one campaign song
    Like Nyerere of Tanzania and Kaunda of Zambia,lead the way, Dr OJ lead the way!We need help from everyone!

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