Local organisations raising funds to assist Cuba
Public asked for assistance
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~ BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A number of organisations in the Federation have banded together to raise funds to assist Cuba in its effort to return the island to its pre-hurricane-ravaged state.
For the 2008 Hurricane Season, the island has been struck buy Hurricanes Ike and Gustav which have left a trail of devastation in their wake.
SKNVibes understands that the effort is being made by the Cuba Alumni Association of St. Kitts Nevis, the Parents Association the St. Kitts Nevis Association of Solidarity with the Cuban Five.
According to correspondence issued by the groups, damage caused by the storms is “significant and the preliminary assessments have indicated that cost of repair will amount to at least US$5 billion and will take several years to be completed. The situation is dire for many people as more than 500,000 homes have been destroyed.”
The correspondence further notes that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis have been fortunate not to have endured the impact of any hurricanes since the commencement of the 2008 Hurricane season. However, it added, a helping hand should be extended to those islands which were not as fortunate.
Mention was also made of the contributions Cuba has made to St. Kitts and Nevis and other Caribbean islands despite the “economic blockade” implemented by the United States of America.
“However, despite its challenges, the Government and people of Cuba have shown unstinting solidarity with the Caribbean neighbours in every way that it could. It has made its universities available for free education, offered free medical services both in Cuba and in the various Caribbean islands as well as other technical assistance. St. Kitts and Nevis has benefitted greatly from this support. Now it is time for us to extend our hand in brotherhood and solidarity with the people of Cuba in their time of need. We feel very strongly that we cannot allow this time to pass without doing all that we can to be our brother’s keeper.”
To this end, an account numbered 10012045 has been created at Scotia Bank bearing the name “Hurricane Donations to Cuba” through which persons can contribute.
“We implore you to consider supporting this worthy cause. We thank you in advance for your support and look forward to working with you towards this common end.”
The associations have informed that they would “be engaged in a series of activities to raise funds and general public awareness of the plight of the Cuban people at this time and we will look forward to your support in these endeavours”.
