Massive relief drives for Grenada, Jamaica

Massive relief drives are being mounted throughout the country to assist Caribbean neighbours who were battered by Hurricane Ivan last week. Grenada especially is in dire need of aid, so too Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines and now Jamaica. Earlier this week notices from  NGO’s, the Rose Foundation, TUCO, DOMA, FEEL, Newtown Boys’ RC School, St Joseph’s Convent and the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association all had their own relief drive already in motion, with Pan Trinbago’s own relief concert set for today at the Queen’s Park Savannah where patrons are asked to walk with cans of foodstuff. Collection centres for items of non-perishable foods and other supplies, such as, blankets, plastic sheets, bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, tents and other articles for the Grenada Relief Disaster have been set up in many areas throughout the country. Here is a list of some of those centres:

The All Saints Memorial Hall, Marli Street, from 9 am to 3 pm daily. PAWI’s office at 85 Tunapuna Road, Tunapuna. Contri-butions must reach the district offices by September 15 or contact 645-1471. The United Curepe Neighbourhood Watch (UCNW), corner Old Tim and Evans Streets and at 30 Evans Street, Curepe or contact 663-1492 or 662-3267. The Credit Union League of Trinidad and Tobago, corner Bushe Street and Southern Main Road, Curepe. The San Juan Rotary is spearheading efforts having collected $15,000 from its members. These funds will be used to purchase stuff primarily for children, to be shipped by Rotarian Bill Bronte early this week. The collection drive remains in effect and cheques or relief supplies can be dropped off at Texprint in Barataria, SASSL in El Socorro, and Vistrac/Bal-roops, Eastern Main Road, Tacarigua.

The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society is also appealing for monetary assistance for the people of Tobago and Grenada. Basic foodstuff, water, sanitary supplies and medication are urgently needed. Contributions can be sent to any Republic Bank branch — the Tobago/Grenada Appeal account 180463484801. For more information, contact the Red Cross at 627-8215. The National Carnival Bands Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NCBA), will be receiving donations of canned foods and bottled water for distribution to FEEL on September 17. The Assembly of Caribbean People relief fund is accepting cheques or cash contributions at the Communication Workers Union, 146 Henry Street, PoS; Women Working for Social Progress (Working Women), 14 Niles Street, Tunapuna, and the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union, 99A, Circular Road, San Fernando.

For more details contact 623-5588. Persons interested in donating, volunteering their skills or requiring assistance, can contact the Habitat for Humanity of TT at 675-1222 or 674-2031. NEMA’s relief drive has extended to Wednesday for more relief supplies to be shipped to Grenada. This follows the vessel, Native Spirit, that left the country loaded with supplies for Grenada on Thursday, with another vessel, the Scout on Friday. Desalcott yesterday sent 480 half-litre bottles of water to Tobago and 576 half-litre bottles to Grenada. Desalcott will also despatch 10,000 four-litre bottles to Grenada next week.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up an Emergency Unit to answer enquiries about Trinidad and Tobago nationals who are in Grenada. Relatives of persons in Grenada are advised to call the unit with information to let the Ministry contact any nationals in distress. The Unit can be reached at 624-2980, 627-2442 and 624-2093. Information about TT nationals in Grenada must include: name, date of birth, occupation, last known address, telephone number, and, where possible, the number of a passport, ID card or driver’s permit. The information may also be sent to the Ministry by e-mail at helpgrenada@foreign.gov.tt or grenadarelief@foreign.gov.tt.