SVGFF donates $40,000 to flood relief efforts

After presenting Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves with a EC$40,000 cheque towards relief efforts, president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, Venold Coombs, says he is looking forward to sourcing more money to assist with damage caused by the December 24 trough system.{{more}}

“I am trying to organise more again… I’m looking to FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) because I had discussions and the FIFA officials will be coming here to look at the damage,” Coombs disclosed at the handing over of the cheque at cabinet room on Tuesday.

Coombs, who handed over the cheque from the Football Federation on behalf of CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football), indicated that he held discussions with the CONCACAF president, where he highlighted the significant damage this country suffered on Christmas Eve, during the passage of a trough system.

“He (the president) asked what amount he could send and I told him to send a fair amount of money… We in no small measure are playing our part. It (money) will go a long way,” Coombs said.

Prime Minister Gonslaves extended thanks to the Football Federation and CONCACAF for contributing to the relief effort.

Updating reporters on relief work being done, Gonsalves said work will soon commence on the recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction phases.

“We have a lot of relief still doing and we have things pretty much under control,” Gonsalves stated.

At present, there are 175 people housed in shelters around the country.

Gonsalves said $2.4 million has to be put aside over the next six months to take care of people’s basic needs.

“The quicker we get the housing program going with the repairs, the better it is to get people back into their homes and help them get their fridges, stoves, and furniture so that they can be able to put themselves back on a solid footing,” Gonsalves said.