South Korea donates goods valued over US$150,000 to NEMO

The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday received a quantity of goods, compliments the Government of the Republic of South Korea.{{more}}

Among the donated items are electronics and emergency equipment including tents, cots, lanterns, outdoor tables and tarpaulin, valued over US$150,000.

Also expected to arrive as part of the donation are two vehicles, which will be used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government has placed high priority on disaster preparedness, this according to Godfred Pompey, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security.

“One of the main focus is that of building capacity both at the local and national levels to better serve communities,” Pompey said.

“We accept most graciously the gifts given to us today; NEMO is the national organizsation charged with the coordination of emergency disaster management.”

He further stated that it is NEMO’s mandate to take the organisation to every part of the country in an effort to prepare people, organisations and communities to better prepare to face disasters.

“And when disaster strikes, we need to be on the cutting edge of the coordination necessary for effective disaster response,” the PS said.

But to be able to be in such a position, NEMO needs the relevant resources, and Pompey said thanks to the generosity of the Korean government, this donation has put the disaster preparedness organisation at an advantage.

He added that it is the intention of NEMO to construct two warehouses, one each on the Windward and Leeward sides of the island and that was where the items would be stored.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Douglas Slater spoke of the significant international support that St Vincent and the Grenadines has given to South Korea.

“Part of the policy of government is to use its sovereignty and independence to negotiate relationships that would directly benefit the people,” Slater said.

Wonkun Hwang, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea, said in his response that the Korean government has expressed its satisfaction with the level of support they have received from this country.

He added that while the items donated will not have a direct impact on developing the nation, it will assist in the process.

Hwang spoke of the issues his native South Korea is having with its northern neighbour, which prompted him to make a plea to the members of the international community to join in the call for a ban on the proliferation of nuclear weapons and long range missiles.

The Korean diplomat pledged his country’s continued support, saying that his embassy will continue to promote the relationship between both countries and adding that his government is interested in sharing with their local counterparts knowledge in the technical area.

“Therefore if you need any know-how in which Koreans can help, please let me know,” the ambassador said. (DD)