Road Town, Tortola - The Red Cross recently received a donation from the Disaster Auxiliary Corps in the amount of $537.00 towards the Haiti Relief Fund.
Deputy Director Mr. Zebalon Mclean said "the DDM always encourages volunteers to give of their time effort and in this case financial assistance. We are pleased that our volunteers could assist the Red Cross in this worthwhile effort towards helping our regional neighbors in Haiti.”
Director of the British Virgin Islands Red Cross expressed her gratitude for this donation and said, "Quite a bit of work is being done in Haiti by the Red Cross and every little bit helps".
Regional and International efforts to assist Haiti are continuing. Feeding programs are being implemented for a target of 800,000 children and this figure is expected to increase in the near future. Schools in Port-au-Prince were reopened on the 5th of April even though 90% of schools were damaged or destroyed. The president of Haiti has signed a decree that allows for land to the north of Port-Au –Prince, to be occupied for temporary relocation sites. Infrastructure and engineering works for the area has begun in this location.
Efforts are continuing to ensure distribution of plastic sheeting, tarpaulins and tents considering the approaching hurricane season. Health teams continue to provide assistance on the ground and have so far been able to re-establish 25 first aid units and 3 hospitals. Cases of Malaria, Dengue Fever and tuberculosis have been recorded within the zone of intervention. Mental health activities have also started in many of the affected areas. There are reports that elderly persons are being abandoned in settlement sites and hospitals as a result of the announcement by the government that medical services will no longer be free.
Persons who wish to make cash donations to the Haiti relief effort can contact the local BVI Red Cross for more information.
British Virgin Islands News