SVG gets relief assistance from Canada, India

Canada and India have joined the list of international donors with their contributions to the relief efforts, following last year’s Christmas Eve disaster.{{more}}

During a press conference yesterday at Cabinet Room, Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma announced that St Vincent and the Grenadines, along with St Lucia and Dominica, would be receiving additional support.

“India has indicated to me that they would be very happy to give, as support in the way that this country wishes to use it, half a million dollars, and half million dollars also will be forthcoming to St Lucia, and $300,000 to the Commonwealth of Dominica, and I want to thank India for this kind of assistance and assure our solidarity in the Commonwealth,” Sharma announced.

The Secretary General, here on a two-day official visit, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Camillo Gonsalves, and with Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, for discussions ahead of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting on March 10.

Another Commonwealth territory, Canada, has also committed aid to St Vincent and the Grenadines, according to a letter read by the Prime Minister.

Gonsalves said that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper indicated in the letter that $60,000 has been contributed to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ emergency plan of action for St Vincent and the Grenadines, and an additional $20,000 to the National Emergency Management Office.

“Further, up to one hundred thousand Canadian dollars will be made available to assist your Government with rehabilitation efforts that meet critical needs. I have asked my Minister of International Cooperation to ensure Canadian officials are available to assist your officials in the development of a project proposal to access these monies that meet the relevant criteria, guidelines and regulations….”

Also in the letter Prime Minister Harper noted that $260,000 was contributed to support the efforts of UNICEF and PAHO in the restoration of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital and for the rehabilitation of affected schools.

Harper also urged local officials to take advantage of a $600 million development assistance fund that had been offered to the Caribbean region since 2007.

The fund, among other areas, deals with disaster risk reduction.

“The thoughts and solidarity of Canadians are with those affected by the rains, as they mourn loved ones lost, and seek to rebuild their lives. I wish you all the best as you face these and other challenges in the coming months… Let me assure you that relationships with the countries and institutions of the Caribbean continue to be a priority for Canada,” the letter concluded.