NGOs mobilise to assist Grenada

More members of non-governmental organisations and the business community have pledged their assistance for hurricane-stricken Grenada. At a press conference, Jerry Narace, Ambassador Plenipotentiary, and other representatives from various organisations, including the TT Red Cross, Scotiabank and Blue Waters, assured that basic supplies such as non-perishable items, water and toiletries would be sent to the island.

President of the TT Manufacturers Association, Anthony Aboud, said the association had already started an initiative, through a request to NEMA and Shed Three of the port, to request its members to supply items to be sent to the island. Narace also spoke to a another member of DOMA who is in Grenada. Beverly Renwick said the island was in dire need of clothes, food, radios, generators and house-building material. She expressed fear, however, that the items being sent to assist the island would be taken over by looters, since there is minimal police presence in most areas.

“A few officers are trying their best to guard the various businesses, but it is just a mess because there are crowds of people standing outside the business places just waiting to charge in to get whatever they can. They are desperate. There are definitely not enough policemen to ensure law and order,” she said. Also present at the briefing were Sid Johnson, secretary of the TT Game Fishing Organisation; Clive Pantin, CEO of the Foundation for the Enhancement and Enrichment of Life (FEEL), and Alejandro Mc Carthy, country manager of DHL.