CDEMA official: Use official mechanisms to contribute

Responding to the concern of donations and relief reaching those in need in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Executive Director of the Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley, stated that it was important for those who wished to donate to do so through official channels.

The executive director had been giving a virtual update on the CDEMA relief effort for St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and stated that according to experts at the Seismic Research Centre, the volcanic eruptions are possibly going to continue for days or months and as such, the needs of the country will change over time. Because of this, she highlighted that the official needs list would be revised as the disaster assessment information comes in and asked the public to remain plugged in to those changing needs and how best they can respond and assist.

Riley however urged the public to co-ordinate with their national disaster offices, explaining that the emergency and relief workers in SVG were under immense pressure and did not need added layers to disrupt the assistance they were carrying out, by having to deal with relief being sent outside of the co-ordination mechanisms.

“I know that there are absolutely well-meaning organisations, but please stay in touch with your national disaster offices; make sure that the work that you have been doing is consistent with the needs list that has been issued. We are discouraging unsolicited items from the needs list, because we do not want to create a secondary disaster by overloading the country with items which are not prioritised at this time,” said Riley.

The director also referenced the request of the government of SVG for financial resources, stating that the supply chain for the island has not been broken and as limited supermarkets remain open, there is a need to restock the shelves and keep the economy going.

“If this is an option for you, where you can provide financial resources, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has provided an official bank account to which the deposits can be made and they have also asked CDEMA to provide bank accounts, which we have,” said Riley.

She stated that a Barbados dollar account for locals and a US dollar account has been provided by CDEMA for members of the diaspora who wish to contribute. The official account numbers are listed on the CDEMA website.

“The co-ordination is key. Once you stick within the mechanisms, the contributions and donations will get to the persons who are most in need,” she said.

Riley also made the request to those donating not to send items for individuals, as the countrywide focus was the receipt of bulk items which would then be packaged and distributed to those in need. (AS)

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