Vincentians reach out to Haiti victims

Plans are said to be in place for this afternoon’s concert to raise funds for earthquake stricken Haiti.

A mega concert scheduled for Unity Square on Bay Street hopes to heighten the awareness of the damage and destruction brought on the French speaking Caribbean nation last Monday, and secure more donations for the relief efforts taking place here.{{more}}

Maxian Harry, one of the coordinators of the concert, dubbed ‘Artistes in solidarity for Haiti’, said that quite a number of local performers and groups have dedicated their time to this afternoon’s event.

These include Hottsand, Bomani, Vincy Soca Dans, Sion Hill Euphonium, Lio Smith, Maddzart, Rasum, The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force Band and others.

Harry indicated that a number of business places have also committed themselves to the event, which begins at 4pm.

“We are also getting support from LIME, Digicel, Karib Cable and VINLEC, among others.”

“VINLEC will be supplying drums for persons to put in their donations. The other companies will also be providing tents and will also be receiving donations.”

A t-shirt drive is also expected to be launched at the concert.

Harry said that during the concert, persons willing to give cash can do so. He indicated that actual cash and cheques will be collected today and not pledges.

In terms of pledges, Harry said that over $50,000 of the $67,000 pledged during last Sunday’s two hour long radio-thon had been collected at press time.

The radio-thon was the effort of a number of radio stations which simultaneously linked up for the call-in program that ran from 11am to 1pm.

“This is going to be a continuous effort,” Harry said. “We will have as many events that needs be to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”

The concert will be brought live on SVG TV.

Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has indicated that Vincentians have been responding very well to the appeal for items.

“The support has been overwhelming,” reports Deputy Director of the Organization Idelia Ferdinand.

“People are bringing bags and bags of food, water, clothing and other stuff at a satisfactory rate,” she indicated.

Ferdinand indicated that these items can be dropped off at the headquarters at Old Montrose, the warehouse in Campden Park or at a number of business places around Kingstown, including RC enterprises, Karib Cable, Rotary Club South, and the Red Cross Society.

According to Ferdinand, the NEMO is working closely with the Barbados based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDEMA).

When the containers are filled, the items will be shipped through that agency to Jamaica, then from there they will be transported to Haiti, where it is needed.”

“I am appealing to Vincentians to continue their efforts to support the relief efforts, because being in situations where we are prone to earthquakes, hurricanes and a volcano you never know when we may be in a similar situation.”

She indicated that a call centre targeting business places and individuals will be set up some time soon.