More than $2m in Ivan relief from RBTT

“WE WILL do all in our power to help our staff and customers get back on their feet in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan,” said Suresh Sookoo, RBTT Group Chief Operating Officer. In this regard, extensive resources and monetary contributions have been allocated to those hurricane-affected jurisdictions in which RBTT operates — in particular Grenada and Jamaica. RBTT’s relief efforts got underway as soon as word of the level of devastation had been communicated. Within 36 to 48 hours in the wake of landfall in Grenada, RBTT sent a team by boat to conduct preliminary assessments regarding staff, communications and technical infrastructure, with a view to determining the nature of assistance required. Concurrently, a shipment of three containers was dispatched with water, food and other necessities for distribution to staff and the wider Grenada population.

A second shipment was dispatched with supplies of diesel and gas for generators, as well as back-up technical equipment.  Once flights resumed to Grenada on September 10, another visit was made to deliver additional supplies, and an expanded team, including special contractors, was sent out on September 12. All told, to date, RBTT has contributed some TT$1 million to the recovery efforts in Grenada — for both staff and the general public. “Recognising that the delivery of banking services is now essential to the population, our Grande Anse and St. George’s branches will open today, from 10 am to 1 pm,” said Sookoo. “The Grenville Branch will open on Friday, September 17 from 9 am to 11 am.” In Jamaica, in addition to a pledge of J$10 million, RBTT has already begun reaching out to its customers, including those in the agricultural sector, to aid in rebuilding efforts.

Though well-prepared for Hurricane Ivan, RBTT Jamaica experienced power generator problems at the Spanish Town, Mandeville, May Pen and Southfield branches. In spite of this, all 24 branches are now fully operational. RBTT is also providing relief support to other islands in which it operates, although damage in the other RBTT jurisdictions that were affected by Hurricane Ivan has been of a much lesser degree. In Tobago, all branches resumed operations on September 8. Although St Vincent, St Lucia, Barbados and Aruba experienced high winds, rains and flooding, staff did not suffer any significant loss, and all branches there are fully operational. “The entire RBTT team, especially those involved in Grenada, must be commended for their magnificent efforts under these very trying circumstances,” said Sookoo. The public is reminded that anyone can support the relief efforts by making contributions at any RBTT Branch to: Account Number 911-102-240-7.