FirstCaribbean Supports purchase of COVID vaccines in SVG

CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank recently donated EC$54,000 to the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines as the country continues its nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign.

This is part of the bank’s campaign around the region, through its charitable arm, the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation, to support the purchase of vaccines in an effort to fight against the pandemic.

Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago have all benefited from donations to their respect national vaccination programmes, a release from the bank stated.

“It is in these times that we come together and do what we can to assist the efforts of our nation to fight this pandemic. The fight against COVID-19 is far from over so we see it as a responsible corporate citizen, to support the Government’s efforts in ensuring the safety of the people, many of whom are our clients, customers, our team members, our friends and our families,” said Country Head, CIBC FirstCaribbean St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Shelly Ann Samuel.

“It is imperative that we rally behind the vaccination programme so that those persons who wish to be vaccinated can do so.” Samuels also thanked the staff of the bank, whom she said, despite difficult circumstances due to the pandemic, continued to safely ensure that their clients and customers had access to their banking needs.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, the local branch participated in relief operations including distribution of supermarket/food gift vouchers to those in need. Regionally, the bank donated US$250 000 last March spread across its 16-member regional footprint to assist health officials in purchasing testing supplies, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies.