The people of the Caribbean have been generally commended for their response to appeals to assist victims of the Haiti earthquake, and the tragedy has demonstrated the type of unity that the region is capable of when facing a crisis.{{more}}

This was stated by Dr. Ashwell Thomas, Director – Human Resources & Community Relations of Goddard Enterprises Ltd (GEL), as the regional group added a further EC $87,850 to the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Appeal Fund.

Speaking at a presentation made to the Barbados Red Cross on Wednesday, February 10, at the GEL, Head Office, Bridgetown, Barbados, Dr. Thomas said coming at a time when resources were limited, the efforts of the people and companies of the region in showing the utmost love and concern for suffering earthquake victims in Haiti were indeed commendable.

Dr. Thomas said following the major tragedy, there was no shortage of empathy from subsidiary companies in the region, who as they had done previously with similar disasters such as Hurricane Ivan in Grenada, wanted to help as much as possible. He said GEL in the aftermath of the earthquake chose to channel the funds to the Red Cross for assistance with medical supplies after it was determined that the Group would want to assist in the area of greatest need.

“At GEL, we, like people across the region, felt great anguish and distress at the suffering that has befallen the people of Haiti. The region as a whole is to be commended for its show of unity and generosity, and we are very happy indeed to assist by partnering with the Barbados Red Cross in this appeal. Indeed we felt compelled to assist in delivering much needed aid and medical supplies to the people of Haiti and we hope that this fund continues to build even more as we work together to bring restoration to Haiti,” Dr. Thomas said.

GEL subsidiary company in St. Vincent Coreas Hazells Inc contributed to the Red Cross Haiti relief fund donation.

Director General of the Barbados Red Cross Society, Edmond Bradshaw, in accepting the funds on behalf of the Barbados Red Cross Society, as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said GEL’s donation was very much appreciated, and thanked the company for placing confidence in the Red Cross’ ability to deliver aid.

“We at the Red Cross are pleased to see the type of response that we are generally getting across the region and we commend GEL for their decision to partner with us. As you know the Barbados Red Cross has been involved in international aid appeals for a very long time dating from the Mozambique drought to the Asia tsunami more recently; and now this Haiti earthquake,” Bradshaw said.

The Director General said the Red Cross’ worldwide network of agencies through the Haitian Red Cross Society was working to bring relief to grief stricken Haitians, and so far more than 550 tonnes of Red Cross/Red Crescent aid and 21 emergency response units (ERUs) have been mobilized.

The Red Cross/Red Crescent emergency appeal which is subject to possible revision as needs are assessed is presently seeking US $103 million from around the globe to assist 300,000 people in Haiti for three years.