Donation to assist Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 28TH 2008 (CUOPM) – A EC$100,000 cheque for the Government and People of Cuba to assist in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas handed over the check to the Resident Cuban Ambassador Her Excellency Ana Maria Gonzalez.

St. Kitts and Nevis has many students attending several universities around Cuba and in handing over the check, Prime Minister Douglas said the contribution is to be used in the recovery and reconstruction work in Cuba after the hurricanes last month.

Ambassador Gonzalez thanked Prime Minister Douglas and the people of the twin-island Federation for the gesture of solidarity on behalf of the Cuban government and people.

She labeled the kind gesture as encouraging and important in the wake of the terrible disasters which damaged over 500,000 homes. Damage was estimated at US$5 billion.

Attending the ceremony were Chief Secretary, Mr. Joseph Edmeade; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Security, Mrs. Astona Browne and Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. Erasmus Williams.

The Cuba Alumni Association of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Parents Association and the St. Kitts-Nevis Association of Solidarity with the Cuban Five are collaborating to bring to the attention of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis the dire need to provide tangible assistance to the people of Cuba in their time of great need.

To facilitate assistance, the Embassy of Cuba has established the “Hurricane Donations to Cuba Account” at the Bank of Nova Scotia. The account number is 10012045.  

A spokesman for the Almuni Association said individuals and organisations should make their contributions to that account. In addition, the Associations will be holding special fund raising and other activities to bring greater awareness to the plight of the people of Cuba.

In asking the general public to donate generously in support of the cause, the spokesman noted that the Government and People of Cuba has been of great assistance in the development of St. Kitts and Nevis, providing free university education, medical services and technical support to the Government and People of the Federation over the years.