BARBADIANS FROM ALL walks of life are rallying behind Haitians who continue to suffer severe effects from Hurricane Matthew, which devastated the island last week.
The Barbados Red Cross Society has already launched an appeal to assist with the rebuilding efforts in the island, which is still reeling from the effects of a 2010 earthquake.
Director general Edmond Bradshaw is encouraging people to make donations to the Red Cross Hurricane Matthew Haitian Victims Appeal Account at any branch of CIBC First Caribbean, First Citizens, RBC Royal Bank, Republic Bank and Scotiabank.
Cheques may be sent to Red Cross Hurricane Matthew Haitian Victims Appeal Account and Appeal mailed to the Barbados Red Cross Society, P.O. Box 300 B’Town.
The drive closes on November 18, and the money raised will be sent to the International Red Cross, which is working with the Haitian Red Cross in the restoration efforts.
A monetary drive is also under way at the People’s Cathedral. Reverend Jewell Callender, who worked in the Children’s Village for two years and was in Haiti as recent as August, said she made the appeal in church last Sunday.
Callender said it is an extension of the monthly donation the People’s Cathedral has been making to Haiti for the past 30 years. She said the church makes the contribution through its association with Sir Johan Sörenberg, a missionary in Haiti with the Heart for Haiti Foundation.
“While their facility was not damaged and the personnel was not harmed in any way, they are going to launch a relief effort out of the Children’s Village there, so we are going to partner with them to help surrounding villages to rebuild,” Callender said.
She said reports from Sörenberg indicated that some of the neighbouring villages were severely hit.
“Crops were destroyed, livestock was destroyed and houses were damaged severely. We are going to partner with him in terms of raising finances,” she explained.
Callender said the money will be raised through donations at the church, and they expect to send money off to Haiti as soon as possible.
“We’ve asked people to make a special effort in that they will bring whatever they can and we will do this on a continuous basis until we feel that we have really helped out as many people as brother Sörenberg would want to assist,” Callender said, adding that members respond well to those types of things.
The Pan African Coalition of Organisations is also in the process of planning a response.
Onkpra Wells said one meeting on the Haitian relief efforts has been held so far and that another one will be held tomorrow where plans will be finalised.
And as fears of a cholera outbreak in Haiti mounts, the United Caribbean Trust has launched an urgent appeal for money to boost a clean water project.
Founder of the Barbados-based charity, Jenny Tryhane, said they are looking to purchase additional Sawyer Point One Filters. Donations may be posted to the United Caribbean Trust P.O. Box 5123, Warrens, St Michael. (YB)
