Caribbean countries pummeled by Irma: SPSB donates SRD 100,000

In an effort to better coordinate the humanitarian efforts for countries affected by the passage of Hurricane Irma, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), is asking individuals and organisations who wish to help to donate cash at this time. CDEMA Executive Director, Ronald Jackson, said this is because they first need to conclude the assessments being undertaken in the affected States to ensure that assistance is being provided where it is most needed. Jackson told reporters during a press conference on Thursday afternoon that when the information becomes available, the agency would then be in a better position to direct the public in terms of providing a list of the necessities that are most critical and how such donations could be made. Jackson said the CDEMA Coordinating Unit (CU) is deeply appreciative and humbled by the outpouring of generosity and humanitarian interest to meet the needs of our Caribbean sisters and brothers. CDEMA, as the CARICOM entity established to oversee disaster management within the region, is standing in solidarity with affected Caribbean countries affected by the Category 5 Hurricane Irma. The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) he said, has been activated to provide support during this greatest time of need. Suriname’s National Coordination Center for Disaster Control (NCCR) has answered CDEMA’s call by opening a bank account for monetary donations at the Surinaamse Postspaarbank (SPSB). The SPSB lend a helping hand by being the first to make a monetary donation. The SPSB reportedly donated SRD 100,000. The bank account number will be made public in the next couple of days. Barbuda, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands suffered serious damage by Hurricane Irma.