Basseterre, St. Kitts - In an effort to raise much needed funds for training and other exercises for District Managers, NEMA Districts Coordinator, Mrs. Telca Wallace, spearheaded their Food and Information Fair, held in Independence Square on Friday, 22nd October, 2010. The Fair coincided with NEMA’s observance of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, on October 13th. The Day was marked with a broadcast by National Security Consultant, Dr. Norgen Wilson.
In his remarks, Dr. Wilson said, “The National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with our partners like the St. Kitts Red Cross Society and the private sector, is doing its very best to coordinate the efforts of their volunteers and other support entities, to engage dialogue on best practices for risk reduction, and to provide avenues for behavioural change and capacity building. But that is not enough. Today when flash flood warnings and hazardous threats rule the airwaves, serious consideration must be given to the physical planning and development of our Nation, and hard decisions taken when determining where and how to build homes and other structures.”
St. Kitts Red Cross Society along with National Caribbean Insurance Co. Ltd., were also co-sponsors of the Fair. “Without their input,” says Districts Coordinator, Mrs. Wallace, “it is likely that we would have had to postpone the fair.”
Support for the activity was immense, according to Mrs. Wallace, who says that funds were received from the Red Cross Society, who sponsored the printing of t-shirts through USAID/OFDA, the Republic of China (Taiwan) and National Caribbean Insurance Co. Ltd. Others donated services and food, “which greatly diminished the financial strain on our organisation,” she said.
“A heartfelt thank you is extended to everyone who assisted in facilitating the NEMA Districts Food and Information Fair”, says Mrs. Wallace, “and words cannot adequately express our appreciation for your selfless acts of volunteerism.”
Sponsors included RAMS, Coury’s Wholesale, Tony Morton, Iona Woodley, Elroy Belle, Best Buy, Island Supermarket, Horsfords, K & I, Island Food Groceries, Roland Mills, Luther Clarke, George Eddie, Kings Pavillion, Ocean Terrace Inn, Kawaja’s Wholesale, Manhattan Gardens and all of the District Managers who volunteered their time to serve and prepare the delicious dishes for the Food Fair.
The Districts Food and Information Fair, will now form part of NEMA’s annual calendar of activities.
NEMA
27th October, 2010.
